David Crystal

Ben Crystal

Essential guidance for students and playgoers around the world. A unique dictionary to unlock the mysteries of Shakespeare's world, words and language, compiled by renowned English language expert David Crystal and Shakespearean actor and producer Ben Crystal. Over 4000 Shakespearean words clearly explained with examples from the twelve most studied and performed plays including Macbeth, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Notes giving insights into Shakespeare's use of language, his society, and theatrical performances. Panels covering the language and conventions used in a wide range of fascinating topics including money, insults, and swearing. Full-colour illustrations of the Elizabethan's bright cosmos, sharp and vicious weapons, fashions of the day, musical instruments, and maps of the lands and place names ! This is the most up-to-date and accessible language reference tool which will boost your understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare's plays.

Oxford Illustrated Shakespeare Dictionary

getting a taste for the bard

Shakespeare on toast

A vital resource for scholars, students and actors, this book contains glosses and quotes for over 14,000 words that could be misunderstood by or are unknown to a modern audience. Displayed panels look at such areas of Shakespeare's language as greetings, swear-words and terms of address. Plot summaries are included for all Shakespeare's plays and on the facing page is a unique diagramatic representation of the relationships within each play.

A Glossary and Language Companion

Shakespeare's Words

Some people say sconn, while others say schown. He says bath, while she says bahth. You say potayto. I say potahto And--wait a second, no one says potahto. No one's ever said potahto. Have they? From reconstructing Shakespeare's accent to the rise and fall of Received Pronunciation, actor Ben Crystal and his linguist father David travel the world in search of the stories of spoken English. Everyone has an accent, though many of us think we don't. We all have our likes and dislikes about the way other people speak, and everyone has something to say about "correct" pronunciation. But how did all these accents come about, and why do people feel so strongly about them? Are regional accents dying out as English becomes a global language? And most importantly of all: what went wrong in Birmingham? Witty, authoritative, and jam-packed full of fascinating facts, You Say Potato is a celebration of the myriad ways in which the English language is spoken--and how our accents, in so many ways, speak louder than words.

A Book about Accents

You Say Potato

"A breezy, accessible re-introduction to the greatest writer of plays, who turns out to be responsible for East Enders, Coronation Street and Friends." -- Provided by Publisher.

Getting a Taste for the Bard

Shakespeare on Toast

Lines for Life

Everyday Shakespeare

Shakespearean author and actor Ben Crystal gives a unique introduction to King Lear with guidance on what to think about before, during and after you see or study the play.

Springboard Shakespeare: King Lear

Who's afraid of William Shakespeare? Just about everyone. He wrote too much and what he did write is inaccessible and elitist. Right? Wrong. "Shakespeare on Toast" knocks the stuffing from the staid old myth of Shakespeare, revealing the man and his plays for what they really are: modern, thrilling and uplifting drama. Actor and author Ben Crystal brings the bright words and colourful characters of the world's greatest hack writer brilliantly to life, handing over the key to Shakespeare's plays, unlocking the so called difficult bits and, astonishingly, finding Shakespeare's own voice amid the poetry. Told in five fascinating Acts, "Shakespeare on Toast" sweeps the cobwebs from the Bard - from his language, his life, his time - revealing both the man and his work to be relevant, accessible and full of beans.

Adam Russ

Packed with facts and razor-sharp observations, Sorry, I’m British! is hilarious and informative in equal measure. From small-talk to superiority, from the famous stiff upper lip to the infamous football hooliganism, this book will take you through the sometimes sarcastic, often poetic, generally polite, never boastful, but universally proud realm of all that’s British. Discover the fate of a pitbull named ASBO, find out exactly why we get bank holidays when we do, and learn why it’s better to drive on the left with this mini encylopedia of British behaviour. Peppered with illustrations from the legendary British cartoonist Ed McLachlan (Punch, Private Eye, The Spectator), this is the perfect book for a nation that loves to laugh at itself.

An Insider's Romp Through Britain from A to Z

Sorry, I'm British!

An original and funny take on what it is to be British The A to Z guide to your own laughable behaviour Explore the oddities of the British psyche with this informative and witty illustrated guide. From small-talk to superiority, from cricket to condiments, and curry to class, when wandering lonely through the clouds of British behaviour this is the perfect companion. Discover the fate of a pitbull named ASBO, find out why we get bank holidays when we do, and learn why it's better to drive on the left. With 40 hilarious illustrations from acclaimed cartoonist Ed McLachlan, this is the perfect book for a nation that loves to laugh at itself.

Excellent sales of Crystal's widely-acclaimed earlier book, Shakespeare on Toast..Ideal short introduction or revision guide for A level and undergraduate students..Ben Crystal has a high profile amongst A Level students and teachers as he takes part in the Shakespeare Live programme of study days every year

Springboard Shakespeare: Macbeth

Shakespearean author and actor Ben Crystal gives a unique introduction to A Midsummer Night's Dream with guidance on what to think about before, during and after you see or study the play.

Springboard Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Shakespearean author and actor Ben Crystal gives a unique introduction to Hamlet with guidance on what to think about before, during and after you see or study the play

Ben Crystal

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