We're delighted to announce that Giles Block's Speaking the Speech, the most authoritative, most comprehensive book yet written on speaking Shakespeare’s words, has been shortlisted for the 2014 Theatre Book Prize.

In Speaking the Speech, Giles Block - ‘Master of the Words’ at Shakespeare’s Globe – sets out to answer two simple questions: why does Shakespeare write in the way he does? And how can actors and directors get the most out of his incomparable plays?

Addressing a wide range of topics that any actor approaching Shakespeare's works needs to understand, it is also essential for directors, and of great interest to anyone who wants to deepen their appreciation of Shakespeare’s language and the way it comes to life when spoken aloud. The book also features a Foreword from renowned actor Mark Rylance.

The Theatre Book Prize is an annual award presented by the Society of Theatre Research. All new works of original research first published in English on British or British-related theatre are eligible, except for play texts and studies of drama as literature. The winner is chosen by an independent panel of judges which changes every year.

Also shortlisted are: The National Theatre Story, Daniel Rosenthal (Oberon Books); The Other National Theatre: 350 Years of Shows in Drury Lane, Robert Whelan (Jacob Tonson); Stage Blood, Michael Blakemore (Faber & Faber); Wooden Os: Shakspeare's Theatres and England's Trees, Vin Nardizzi (University of Toronto Press).

The winner of the 2014 Prize will be announced on 9 May at a ceremony at the London Palladium.

SPECIAL OFFER

We're offering a special discount on Speaking the Speech to celebrate its Theatre Book Prize nomination. Get 25% off when you order the book through our website - just use the code SPEECH at checkout. This offer is valid until 8 May 2014.