Physical Theatres: A Critical Reader is an invaluable resource for students of physically orientated theatre and performance. This book aims to trace the roots and development of physicality in theatre by combining practical experience of the field with a strong historical and theoretical underpinning.In exploring the histories, cross-overs and intersections of physical theatres, this critical Reader provides:six new, specially commissioned essays, covering each of the book s main themes, from technical traditions to contemporary practises discussion of issues such as the foregrounding of the body, training and performance processes, and the origins of theatre in both play and human cognition a focus on the relationship and tensions between the verbal and the physical in theatre contributions from Augusto Boal, Stephen Berkoff, tienne Decroux, Bertolt Brecht, David George, J-J. Rousseau, Ana Sanchez Colberg, Michael Chekhov, Jeff Nuttall, Jacques Lecoq, Yoshi Oida, Mike Pearson, and Aristotle.
Steven Berkoff Book order (chronological)
August 3, 1937
Steven Berkoff is an English actor, writer, and director, renowned for his intense portrayals. His early dramatic works, deeply rooted in adaptations of Kafka, delve into nightmarish psychological landscapes and cultivate a disturbing sense of alienation. Berkoff later pioneered a distinct style known as 'total theatre,' characterized by its raw, physical intensity and confrontational aesthetic. Critics describe his work as 'in yer face,' capable of provoking extreme reactions from audiences due to its visceral power and unflinching exploration of difficult themes.
