'A vivid, nuanced and intimate account of the National Theatre's only true ensemble, Bill Bryden's Cottesloe Theatre company. Playwright Keith Dewhurst and actor Jack Shepherd tell an inspiring story of the company they helped to make. Anyone who cares about popular theatre, Britishness, the alchemy of theatrical space, acting as a group process and performance as a midfield football match, needs this book.' Michael Kustow 'The Cottesloe gang were an extraordinary troupe: a company within a company that created a style of theatre that was vigorous, popular and life-enhancing. The work they did deserves permanent recognition.' Michael Billington, The Guardian 'The Bill Bryden Company produced an extraordinary cannon of highly original innovative work at a time when British theatre was stagnating... ensemble at its best... and sometimes at its not so best.' Richard Wilson 'Here playwright Keith Dewhurst and actor Jack Shepherd povide an absorbing and entertaining behind-the-scenes account of celebrated productions such as 'The Mysteries' and 'Lark Rise to Candleford', and describe in revealing fashion the company's attempts to create a genuine popular theatre.' StageWrite (Spring 2007) 'A glorious and timely tribute to one of theatre's most innovative companies.' Wrinternet Bulletin (December 2006)