Open Book Theater Management: Ethical Theater Production

I actually had the privilege of meeting this author at university. He took us through one of the acting modules for our course, but requested we use his book as a guide to producing our own show. I still have it by my bedside to inspire me to keep producing stories.

This book is an essential read for anyone who has just started out in the theatre industry, is thinking of starting out or - hell, is even experienced in the industry.Beckley's passion for encouraging ethical theatre production is clear from the outset and his personable style of writing makes the book readable and, most important of all, the concepts understandable. His clear experience and history in the industry (including one example of a time he ended sitting in an aisle in a supermarket in despair) demonstrate that this man is not a theatrical philosopher but an experienced practitioner who knows what change in the industry will make a difference to those on the ground.I won't go in to too much detail as to the actual content and ideas, as that is something which needs to really be experienced by those that read it, but I will say one thing. The concepts and ideas are not easy to stomach at first; a prime example being the 'three guiding principles' at the outset which clearly state that making art is not the first priority. As hard as this could be to fathom, along with other ideas which seem may seem alien, they ring true and in the depth of your heart, you feel that he is right. There is the risk that some may find the tone occasionally over-bearing, even arrogant. But this is a personal thing. Approaching this book with an open-mind and a willingness to learn will pay dividends.His passion, again, for the subject make for a compelling argument and you leave the book feeling that, if everybody read this, the industry may just be the better for it.The inclusion of a complimentary website, with examples of budget sheets, is great - especially for people like me who are to accounting and budgets what flocks of birds are to aeroplane engines.The outcome of my reading this book? My small production company is now fully signed up to this style of theatre production - and I hope many others follow suit.This is the voice of a theatre practitioner who knows what change needs to take place, and is unafraid of being the person to make that change happen.

A quite extraordinary solution to the very real problem of funding low-budget theatre, Rafe Beckley takes a financial model from US co-operative business and re-structures it to create an open, honest, practical and ethical system for theatre financing that is required reading for stage producers and directors everywhere. I don't often give 5 stars to anything. This book totally deserves it.

This is the new Bible for recession theatre. Whether you're in Rotterdam, anywhere, Liverpool or Rome this book is hugely important for a long and developing career. SPREAD THE WORD and we can change the face of British Theatre. Rafe is inspirational and honest. I shall continue to refer to this book throughout my career.

Everything as promised!

Essential reading for any Actors or Performers wanting to produce their own or existing work on the fringe or pop up venue