---
product_id: 65672128
title: "Backwards and Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays"
price: "€ 49.60"
currency: EUR
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 10
url: https://www.desertcart.sk/products/65672128-backwards-and-forwards-a-technical-manual-for-reading-plays
store_origin: SK
region: Slovakia
---

# Backwards and Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays

**Price:** € 49.60
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

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- **What is this?** Backwards and Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays
- **How much does it cost?** € 49.60 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sk](https://www.desertcart.sk/products/65672128-backwards-and-forwards-a-technical-manual-for-reading-plays)

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## Description

Backwards and Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays : David Ball (author): desertcart.co.uk: Books

Review: For screenwriters too... - As someone who's done a masters in screenwriting and now in the middle of a PhD, I've read many of the screenwriting manuals out there and this is one of the best. It's a quick but pithy read. Much of what is recommended in this book (in 1983) is simply repeated by many others over the following two decades, but they do it less succinctly. Although targeted at playwrights, most of the content is equally applicable to screenwriting. The basic premise of the book, to work backwards rather than forwards through your script when rethinking/rewriting it, seems simple but is very powerful advice. No apprentice screenwriter sholud be without this in their library.
Review: Excellent book! Every director should have this knowledge. - I enjoyed this book very much! It's one of the greatest I've ever read regarding directing. I suggest it to all my friends that already are or wannabe directors.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 235,147 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 94 in Theatre Direction & Production 228 in Playwriting 404 in Acting & Auditioning (Books) |
| Customer reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (470) |
| Dimensions  | 13.65 x 1.27 x 21.59 cm |
| Edition  | 2nd ed. |
| ISBN-10  | 0809311100 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0809311101 |
| Item weight  | 1.05 kg |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 112 pages |
| Publication date  | 7 July 1983 |
| Publisher  | Southern Illinois University Pr |

## Images

![Backwards and Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61AGs-7CSFL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ For screenwriters too...
*by P***G on 26 August 2007*

As someone who's done a masters in screenwriting and now in the middle of a PhD, I've read many of the screenwriting manuals out there and this is one of the best. It's a quick but pithy read. Much of what is recommended in this book (in 1983) is simply repeated by many others over the following two decades, but they do it less succinctly. Although targeted at playwrights, most of the content is equally applicable to screenwriting. The basic premise of the book, to work backwards rather than forwards through your script when rethinking/rewriting it, seems simple but is very powerful advice. No apprentice screenwriter sholud be without this in their library.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent book! Every director should have this knowledge.
*by A***A on 27 August 2019*

I enjoyed this book very much! It's one of the greatest I've ever read regarding directing. I suggest it to all my friends that already are or wannabe directors.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2nd BEST WRITING BOOK
*by O***. on 5 January 2021*

This is the second best book for playwrights (in conjunction with the latest Jeffries book)!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays
- Ghost Light: An Introductory Handbook for Dramaturgy (Theater in the Americas)
- Dramaturgy: The Basics

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*Product available on Desertcart Slovakia*
*Store origin: SK*
*Last updated: 2026-03-11*