... . NOVELISTS AM) DRAMATISTS, It is astonishing, when one reflects on the axiom, truism, platitude, what you will, that the task of dramatising a novel is a supremely difficult and irksome one, how many novelists turn so readily to plav-writing, or contrari-wise, how frequently a matist doubles the role with that of novelists. A notable case in point has just been afforded by tho association ...

... . THE MARCHESI METHOD. Mme. Blanche Marchesi has dedicated to the memory of my beloved parents, Salvatore and Matilde Marchesi, her serious treatise, styled The Singer's Catechism and Creed, and published at 8s. 6d. not by the firm of J. M. Dent. On its front page she has placed conspicuously trie sentence Here I lay down the truth about two hundred and twenty years of teaching by one ...

... . PARKER'S WHO'S WHO. Mr. John Parker, that indefatigable and scrupulously accurate annalist of stage doings, has issued, again through the firm of Isaac Pitman, at 3cS, net, the seventh edition of his invaluable book of record arid reference, Who's Who in ttoe Theatre. which has been enlarged and had new fea- j i tures introduced. j The biographical section alone i now occupies about 1 ...

... . The Theatre of Youth. This is the title of a useful little volume (Chapman and Hall, 58, net), described as a brief Introduction to the art of the stage for those who are not too old to learn, by the author, Charles Thomas, who, as a small boy; figured in the cast of Peter Pan at the 1/uke ot York s years ago, and was latterly concerned with the Play and Pageant Union, of Hampstcad. A ...

... . A COURTNEIDGE NOVEL. Mr. Robert Courtneidge has drawn seemingly upon the store of his experiences in the capacities of theatrical manager and producer in the writing of what is justly styled an enthralling novel of the theatre; the book, entitled Judith Clifford, from tho name of the actress- heroine, being published at 7b. 6d. net by the firm of Hutchin son. Mr. Courtneidge, it will be ...

... . Circus Company. This is the attractive title of a fascinating and most engrossing account of Life on the Road with the Travelling Show. written and also illustrated by Edward Seago, and dedicated to the memory of Tommy Baker, who died as recently as December 7, 1932. It is published at 10s. 6d. net by the firm of Putnam, and has a most noteworthy introduc tion from the pen of John Mace ...

... . THE ART OF ORATORY. If there are any oratorg left in these days, either in Parliament, or at the Bar, or upon tihe Stage, such of them as may welcome the counsel of perfection might tako as their guide John N. Ruffin, B.A., who has grouped together, rhetorically analysed and cally marked, under the head ing of The Celebrated Crown Trial, the orations usually re ferred to as De Corona, ...

... . DAME MADGE'S BOOK. There is the familiar signature of Madge Kendal, inscribed in gold on the blue cover of the volume of reminiscences, styled Dame Madge Kendal, by Herself issued at the very moderate price of 10s. 6d. net by the firm of John Murray. On the title-page lacing the frontispiece showing Dame Madge at her desk, are tbe c lines Life in a comedy to thoi?e t who look, a tragedy ...

... . CROXTON'S CROWDED NIGHTS. Our readers will be familiar with part of the material used by that versatile man, Arthur Croxton, in his so-called Unconventional Pageant, to which he has given the title of Crowded Nights--and Days. This engrossing volume of reminiscences dicated ro a true comrade, my wife, and published by Sampson Low at 10s. 6d. net. has for frontispiece a portrait of ...

... . THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE. The Church and the Stage, the early history of the Actors' Church Union, by the Rev. Donald Hole, has just been published by the Faith Press, Ltd., at 2s. 6d. paper and 3s. 6d. cloth. The Rev. Donald Hole, who is of course well known as the secretary of the Actors Church Union, has covered his subject admirably. He traces the first attempts to bring the ...

... . ADVICE TO AUTHORS. The Authors', Playwrights', and Composers' Handbook. 3s. 6d. John Lane, The Bodley Head, Ltd. A most valuable book to authors, composers, playwrights, and others, has just been publislicd under the title of the 44 Authors', Playwrights', and Composers' Handbook. It has been compiled by D. Kilham Roberts, M.A.. secretary of the Incorporated Society of Authors, ...

... . OLD VIC MEMORIES. Four Years at the Old Vic, I by llarcourt Williams. Putnam. I 10s. 6d. net.) From 1929 to 1953 Haroourt Williams was producer at tl Old Vic, and the experience so shrrnd him that he has written a book upon it very interesting, crowded with glimpses of amusing people, and conveying the thrilling im pression of a fight with difficulties manfully waged. In one respect ...