Legend tells how Thespis walked around Athens pulling a handcart, setting up a series of one man plays, where he showed the bad behaviour of man.

Our word thespian, meaning actor, comes from his name. He is supposed to have modified the dithyramb (which had been, in effect, exchanges between the leader and the chorus) by introducing an actor separate from the chorus. Masks, make up and costumes are also his contribution.

The mask allowed the actor to portray the universality of human existence, but even masked, actors were like modern megastar pop-stars, commanding huge figures to perform. They dined with world leaders, travelled extensively and negotiated through their Theatre Guild. At Keep Left Theatre we stick with the Union too.

Thespis is no longer with us to appreciate a handy corner store for actors -- but you certainly can.

Browse through our recommendations for an offer you can't refuse

Shakespeare

Speak the Speech!: Shakespeare's Monologues Illuminated
An essential for Shakespearean preparation with over 150 monologues. Thoroughly annotated and accompanied by commentary exploring how the interrelationship of meter and the choice of words and sounds yields clues to character and performance.

Neil Simon

Neil Simon Monologues: Speeches from the Works of America's Foremost Playwright The authorized collection of monologues from the most produced playwright since Shakespeare and the most significant contributor to the drama genre in the past twenty-five years. Introduction by Jack Lemmon

Contempary

The Actor's Scenebook : Scenes and Monologues From Contemporary Plays Monologues in a wide range of acting ability for both men and women. An essential item for auditioning actors which provides exciting opportunities to sharpen acting skills in roles that brought accolades from New York's toughest critics. Smart, sassy, often outrageous comedy or deeply moving drama -- take your pick

Contemporary

The Actor's Book of Contemporary Stage Monologues
A collection of well-known and more obscure scripts for comic, serious, and seriocomic monlogues. With a comprehensive index listing the monologues by the age group of the characters.

Women

  One on One: The Best Women's Monologues for the Nineties (Applause Acting Series)
Still the best collection of 75 monologues for women from the stage of the 1990s.

Women

American Theatre Book of Monologues for Women
A collection of monologue material selected from plays published in American Theatre magazine over the last 15 years, including works by Tony Kushner, Edward Albee, Paula Vogel, Rita Dove, Wendy Wasserstein, Christopher Durang and others