Product Description

This essential new textbook on physical theatre synthesises history, theory and practice of this field in a useful way for students new to the subject, providing a necessary and fascinating introduction to this broad field of theatre.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113893 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

From the Back Cover

Physical Theatres: A Critical Introduction is the first account to provide a comprehensive overview of non-text-based theatre, from experimental dance to traditional mime. This book synthesises the history, theory and practice of physical theatres for students and performers, in what is both a core area of study and a dynamic and innovative aspect of theatrical practice.

Insisting that there are many physical theatres and arguing for the essential physicality of all theatrical forms, this book not only examines the acknowledged luminaries of physical theatre, but forges a new lens through which the physical and visual practices of the twentieth century's most exciting dramatists and theatre makers can be viewed.

This comprehensive book:

• traces the roots of physical performance in classical and popular theatrical traditions
• looks at the Dance Theatre of DV8, Pina Bausch, Liz Aggiss and Jérôme Bel
• examines the contemporary practice of companies such as Théâtre du Soleil, Complicité and Goat Island
• focuses on principles and practices in actor training, with reference to figures such as Jacques Lecoq, Lev Dodin, Philippe Gaulier, Monika Pagneux, Etienne Decroux, Anne Bogart and Joan Littlewood.

This book can be used as a stand-alone text, or together with its companion volume, Physical Theatre: A Critical Reader, to provide an invaluable introduction to the physical in theatre and performance. 

About the Author

Simon Murray is a performer, director and academic. He is currently Director of Theatre at Dartington College of Arts, and author of Jacques Lecoq (2003).

John Keefe is a senior lecturer at London Metropolitan University Undergraduate Centre, and a lecturer and visiting fellow at Queen's University International Study Centre (Canada), specialising in performance–theatre–film studies. He is also a freelance director and performance dramaturg.