The Book Depository How Musicals Work by Julian Woolford
138 ratings
TO EXPLORE MORE
Price: £14.99
Brand: The Book Depository
Description: How Musicals Work : Paperback : Nick Hern Books : 9781848421752 : 1848421753 : 25 Dec 2012 : Why do some musicals work, while others just don't? And what should you do if you're thinking of writing your own? Julian Woolford, a successful writer and director of musicals and lecturer in writing musicals at the University of London, explores the musical-theatre canon to answer these and many other questions.
Category: Books
Merchant: The Book Depository
Product ID: 9781848421752
MPN: 1848421753
GTIN: 9781848421752
Author: Ellen
Rating: 5
Review: This book has proven invaluable to me, first as a musical theatre MA then PhD student, then as a teacher in higher education. It is the most comprehensive book of its kind, filling a real gap in the literature. It's easy to follow, with plenty of examples and exercises making it relatable and engaging for any level of experience, whether student or professional. It is also a great resource for dipping in and out of if your musical is struggling with a particular issue or if you're trying to assess why something isn't working. I personally use this book teaching in higher education, though the writing and structure would make it suitable for high school students and above. The exercises are particularly helpful for my MA students who have used them to great success in developing both their writing and their comprehension of the genre. An invaluable book for any musical lover's shelf.
Author: The Outsider
Rating: 4
Review: If you're writing a musical (are you, really?) you might find this structural approach interesting and useful. Julian Woolford does write them and he offers clear wisdom on how to do it. If you are familiar with Joseph Campbell's 'mono myth ' (are you?) you will find this easier to follow. He takes a page out of Robert McKee's Story (well, more than a page) and sets out in clear terms, the 12 stages of the mono myth and applies it to musical theatre. He eschews modern musicals (post modern, really) and embraces the traditional Broadway musicals. He has clear likes and dislikes. For example, he has high regard for show tunes and contempt for rock music (lazy, according to Julian). In other words, he likes old fashioned musicals or ones from more serious composers. Given the dominance of rock music and jukebox musicals, this is more than a tiny blindspot. He focuses on the conventions (the I want song, the showstopper, the 11 O'Clock song) which make musicals tick and relates these to the stages of the myth. There is a bit at the end about writing music which if you write music, is irrelevant. It is clear and intelligent for the most part, and pretty didactic.