Experimental Theatre: From Stanislavsky to Peter Brook

`It is a pleasure to read. Well-written, free of cant, impressively wide-ranging. The book is really an introduction to the avant-garde.' - John Lahr

`Students and theatre buffs discontented with theatre as mere entertainment will find stimulation and excitement ... The author is not only knowledgeable but extraordinarily perceptive in his wide-ranging survey of the most challenging theatrical movements of our century.' - Publishers' Weekly

`This is one of the most succinct and readable works on avant-garde movements in theatre I have ever seen. Each director and movement is regarded in the light of the author's critical standards, the standards of a practical man of the theatre and a thinker as well.' - Library Journal

`The book is committed and erudite, cross-referring to the other arts, which, at least until drama broke away from the straightjacket of literature, usually preceded the theatre in avant-garde developments.' - Sunday Times

`It is clear, all-embracing and ... often enriching and stimulating.' - The Tablet

`A book which will repay constant re-reading by anyone seriously concerned with the art and practice of the theatre whether as student or practitioner.' - Amateur Stage

`No one interested in the development of the modern stage should miss this excellent book by the founder of the Hampstead Theatre.' - Rene Elvin, The Stage

Authored by Roose-Evans, James

Illustrations, Acknowledgments, 1 Introduction, 2 Stanislavsky's Life in Art, 3 The School of Realism, 4 Meyerhold and the Russian Avant-garde, 5 Taïrov and the Synthetic Theatre, 6 Vakhtangov's Achievement, 7 Craig and Appia – Visionaries, 8 Copeau – Father of the Modern Theatre, 9 Reinhardt, Piscator and Brecht, 10 The Theatre of Ecstasy – Artaud, Okhlopkov, Savary, 11 The Contribution of the Modern Dance - Martha Graham and Alwin Nikolais, 12 Further Experiments Today – in America, 13 Richard Foreman, Robert Wilson and the Bread and Puppet Theatre, 14 Anna Halprin and the Dancers' Workshop, 15 Grotowski and the Poor Theatre, 16 Grotowski and the Journey to the East, 17 Eugenio Barba and the Third Theatre, 18 The Mountain with Many Caves: Peter Brook, Alfred Wolfsohn and Roy Hart, 19 Towards AD 2,000, Epilogue, Bibliography, Recommended Further Reading, Index

James Roose-Evans, one of Britain's most innovative directors, traces the origins of the avant-garde in the theatre through such key figures as Stanislavsky, Brecht and Grotowski.