If you want to know about a theatre venue in the UK, or where to find an agent, theatre company, or stage school, then the chances are that the information you need will be in here. The Original British Theatre Directory 2003 packs a lot of information into a small but satisfyingly fat volume, and is also available by subscription on the Web (with purchase of the book). Aimed at those working within the theatre and associated professions this book claims to be the essential publication for all theatrical and entertainment needs. Save for the section on theatre venues, the book is not indexed, but entries are arranged A‐Z in nine different sections. The layout is clear and uncluttered and information is easy to find. As with many of these types of publication there are a few advertisements scattered throughout the text, but they are not, on the whole, intrusive, and this work very clearly retains the appearance of a reference work rather than an advertising vehicle.
Almost half the work comprises an index of theatre venues in the UK. Entries are subdivided into sections covering London venues; fringe theatres; provincial venues; amateur theatres; comedy and cabaret venues; and arts centres. Within each of these subdivisions all but the London and fringe venues are further divided by geographical area, but all entries are listed alphabetically and there is also an index of venues listed. The information given about each venue includes postal, e‐mail and Web site addresses; contact names and numbers; and a certain amount of technical information about the theatre: for example stage dimensions and detailed information about sound and lighting systems; details of the facilities in the backstage areas such as dressing rooms, green room, orchestra pit; and the capacity of the auditorium.
The second section covers local authorities in the UK and provides contact details as for the theatre venues, together with the name of an appropriate contact. This is particularly useful since it is not always apparent from a job title who the appropriate contact is: it is the Arts Development Officer in Blaby, for example, and the Arts Officer in Bassetlaw, but somewhat less obviously the Corporate Director of Community in East Hampshire, and the Lettings Officer in Ipswich.
The section on production gathers together and provides brief details about a range of organizations, from producing managements; orchestras; ballet, opera and dance companies; to circus proprietors and puppet companies. The information given includes brief descriptions of the company’s activities and, in some cases, policy statements.
The remaining sections cover agents (literary agents, concert promoters and voice‐over agents); media and PR (national and local newspapers, television and radio stations as well as fan club administration and press agencies) publicity; training and education (stage schools and drama coaches). A section entitled “Organizations” covers an eclectic mix of societies and organizations including Equity, The Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund, the Musicians’ Union and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Finally, covering a multiplicity of organizations dealing with piano hire, insurance, costumes, wardrobe, make‐up and wigs, the section on suppliers and services aims to cover all those businesses which support the theatre and entertainment world. This impressive collection has been expanded since the previous edition and now includes marketing and media services, picture libraries, scenery, and technical and stage staff.
Concise, comprehensive and well set out this is likely be an invaluable handbook for anyone involved in the theatre and entertainment industry.
