The Need for Words is an astonishing book. It takes you on an extraordinary voyage of discovery through the worlds of language and texts. Every actor and non-actor should know it and read it. Declan Donnellan (director) In The Need for Words, Patsy Rodenburg shows herself to be an inspired and inspiring teacher. Her work is an essential tool for today's teachers and students. She enables them to regain power over language, voice and speech so they can speak out and be heard. Jenny Harris (Head of Education, Royal National Theatre) Patsy Rodenburg is Director of Voice at the Royal National Theatre and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is recognised as one of the world's leading voice and acting coaches. She has worked regularly with the best-known actors of the British theatre, including Dame Judy Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Antony Sher, Harriet Walter, Nigel Hawthorne, Rosemary Harris, Daniel Day-Lewis, Simon Russell Beale and Ralph Fiennes.