Upstage, Downstage, Cross

A book about a struggling actor who mumbles, tumbles, and fumbles his way through acting school and reperatory and touring theatre in England in the early 20th century A Book for Theatre Lovers This novel takes place in England in the early 20th century. It features numerous on-and-off stage adventures of an acting aspirants youth and theatrical encounters with a magician, stowing away on a shipload of touring actors, attending acting school, serving as an apprentice with the Birmingham and Liverpool Repertory Companies, and touring with a fit-up. It is an extraordinary, evolutionary education in theatre from the very basic stage movements to the plots of scores of contemporary productions, the characterizations of stage performers, chores of backstage crew, and problems and issues faced by Thespians of the time. Books may be obtained through the publisher, AuthorHouse; Amazon and Barnes & Noble and as an ebook or from the author at wgthomas@cox.net. A Sample of Reviews Upstage, Downstage, Cross is, just like the title, a delightful and sparkling account of an English boys love affair with the theatre and his wacky and wild, albeit imaginative attempts to become an actor in spite of family opposition and his own unexpected limitations in the art of actingIf you are an aficionado or love English theatre, youll be riveted by the stories of the theatre in the period before WWWI, through the war and its aftermath. This was a period of transition from the days when there were dozens of theatre companies touring Britain and it was the entertainment of masses, to the beginning and then rise of the moving pictures that drew away the usual theatre audiences to the moviesThe style of the book is sparkling with wit and adventure and vignettes of the theatre. Bill Thomas writes in the wonderful tradition of English authors, although he does avoid the Dickensonsian downers. His story is populated with good people, which is a breath of fresh air. Pick up this book and enjoy. Adriana Renescu, Author Your affection for the Bard and English theatre shines through in every way. I particularly dig stowing away on the Lusitania Great StuffOne thing I learned is that I definitely dont want to be a stage manager. Much too hard. Your attention to detail is ever impressive. John Hall, former feature writer, Orange County Register I found your book a very insightful look into life in middle class England during the early 20th century. I enjoyed the way you incorporated a wealth of historical information into a delightful story of a young boy coming of age while pursuing his dreams of becoming an actor. ..I also learned much about the development of English theatre and the way the medium transitioned from the classical and vaudevillian to real life dramasOverall; I was greatly impressed by the depth of research evidenced in the novel regarding English theatre and its influence on society during that period of tumultuous change. John DeNizio, member, San Clemente Book Club he writes of a theatre world that no longer exists, but he captures the excitement of that era through his main character, who has a love for the theatre and lets nothing stand in his way to be an actor. Reading Bills book I realized I was being led by a master writer. His descriptions and detail can only come from one who has seen and retained what he saw and heard. His writing reveals a wit that has been fine tuned with a long and fruitful life. Herman Sillas, Attorney and writer.