Springboard Shakespeare:Hamlet

Ben Crystal is an actor and writer who is best known for making the works of Shakespeare accessible to all. He has co-authored books with his father, the linguist David Crystal and was the sole author of the very successful Shakespeare on Toast (2008) and The Shakespeare Miscellany (2005). This was warmly received and continues to sell well. His first non-Shakespeare book, Sorry, I'm British! (2010), was co-written with Adam Russ.

Having Crystal as a companion through the stickier parts of Hamlet and Macbeth is like going to the theatre with an intelligent friend. The Independent How different it might have been if we'd had Ben Crystal's sparky little books to introduce us. My Shakespearean epiphany would have come much sooner...[the books] lead newcomers into the play in question in a gentle, upbeat, unpretentious way. Fresh and slim, they're about as far as could be from dusty, dry study guides relating to school exams...much better than the average theatre programme...I'd like to see them on sale in theatre bookshops, and/or wherever there's a production of one of these plays...I'd also recommend them for classroom use. -- Susan Elkin The Independent on Sunday A highly worthwhile series, which should prove to be valuable for directors, actors and students...This formula really works. As an experiment, your dedicated reviewer tried out Macbeth in preparation for and following on from the Eve Best production of the Globe. The experience was definitely improved, with some of the tips on words and language proving especially helpful and enlightening... These really are excellent little guides that will prove informative to almost anybody with an interest in the subject. -- Philip Fisher British Theatre Guide

Having Crystal as a companion through the stickier parts of Hamlet and Macbeth is like going to the theatre with an intelligent friend. The Independent