Home Suggested Reading List
This is a general
(inspirational) reading list it shall be added to and amended from time to time.
The purpose of this list is to give the student a theoretical or specialist subject
area starting point.
These books should be of particular interest
to students following the modules P107 and P312
Aristotle:
Poetics
Barba,
E(1991)Dictionary
of Theatre Anthropology Routledge
Brook,P(1968)The
Empty Space Pelican
Carlson,M(1996)
Performance Routledge
Counsell C. (1996)Signs of Performance
:Routledge
Excellent application of semiotics to theatre in general and a number of practitioners in particular. Includes a chapter on Stanislavski.
Dukore,B(1974) Dramatic Theory and Criticism Holt, Rinehart
Emery, L.F (1972) Black Dance from1619 to Today New
Jersey: Princeton Book Company.
Historical
reference.
Frank, R.E (1990) TAP 1900-1955 New York: Da
Capo Press,inc.
History
of tap dance in the theatre.
Hughes, R (?) Shock of the New
Huxley & Witts (96) The 20th Century Performance Reader: Routledge
Introduction and Chapters 2,3,6,9,11,22,24,25,31,37,39,41
General
history including black musicals and Minstrelsy
Plato Republic
Schechner,R(1988) Performance Theory Routledge
Stearns, J and M.(1968) Jazz Dance NewYork:
Macmillan
Well
regarded historical reference work.
Wardle, I(1992) Theatre
Criticism Routledge
A new and interesting biography which is especially strong on debunking Shakespeare the myth whilst at the same time revealing why he is so easy to mythologise.
*Adaptation: from Text to Screen. Cartmell
D./Whelehan, I. (1999)
Routledge
Contains a good essay on Shakespeare screen adaptations including the Hamlets.
Players of
Shakespeare Brockbank P. (Ed.)
(1985) CUP
A series of essays by RSC actors. It’s now quite old and several have gone on to become stars!
*The Year of
the King Sher A.
The classic account by Anthony Sher, of his rehearsal period for Richard III at the RSC. Interesting to compare with Looking for Richard.
Clamorous
Voices Rutter c./Evans, F. (Eds.)
(1988) The Women’s Press
Notable female actors talk about
playing Shakespeare – includes Juliet Stevenson.
*Looking For
Richard (Video) (1996)
20th Century Fox
Al Pachino documentary film on his
work on Richard III. As interesting
in terms of his fascination for Shakespeare as in terms of the quality of the
performances. If not more so...
Hamlets:
Zeffirelli (1990)/Olivier (1948)/Branagh (1996)
Lecture
7: Stanislavski
P107
Stanislavski’s works:
*An Actor
Prepares Stanislavski, C.
(1980) Methuen
*Building a
Character Stanislavski, C.
(1979) Methuen
*Creating a
Role Stanislavski, C.
(1981) Methuen
The trilogy. The first two define the system and the third provides extra material and exemplification. All three are masterpieces and their influence cannot be overestimated. If you haven’t read them yet, do it now.
On the Art
of the Stage Stanislavski, C.
(1950) Faber
My Life in
Art Stanislavski,
C. (1948)
Routledge
Further important works expanding on
Stanislavski’s theories. My
Life in Art is
autobiographical as well as theoretical.
Overviews of Stanislavski’s Work:
Stanislavski
for Beginners Allen, D.
(1999) Writers and Readers
An entertaining and generally accurate
summary of Stanislavski’s life and art to give you an overview before you
immerse yourself in the real thing. Use
sensibly and do not quote in essays!
The Director
and the Stage Braun E.
(1991) Methuen
Contains a chapter which is a sound
description of Stanislavski work.
*Signs of
Performance Counsell C.
(1996) Routledge
Excellent application of semiotics to theatre in general and a number of practitioners in particular. Includes a chapter on Stanislavski.
Stanislavski’s Followers:
Acting: the
First Six Lessons Boleslavski, R
(1933) Theatre Arts Books
One of Stanislavski’s company living
in America provides a practical angle on the system.
On the
Technique of Acting Chekhov, M.
(1991) Harper Perennial
An idiosyncratic member of
Stanislavski’s company who went on to become a minor Hollywood star and a
major teacher of Hollywood actors. He
was Anton Chekhov’s nephew. He
sees acting as spiritual and inspirational, and it’s a book you’ll either
love or hate.
*A Dream of
Passion Strasberg L.
(1987) Penguin
American founder of the method.
The man who taught and/or influenced every major Hollywood star from
Marlon Brando onwards. A very important book, also a good read when he gets down to
practicalities. If you read one
book from this list, make it this one. See
also the Marlon Brandon videos below
Descriptions of Stanislavski’s work:
*Great
Directors at Work Richard Jones, D.
(1986) University of California Press
A good account of Stanislavski’s mise on scene for his seminal production of Chekhov’s The Seagull at the Moscow Arts Theatre. It also has an account of method actor Marlon Brando in the stage version of Streetcar. Compare Lee Strasberg (above) and the video of the same play (below).
Systems of
Rehearsal Mitter, S.
(1992) Routledge
A curious book which examines the work
of notable directors including Stanislavski.
They are assessed through the work of Peter Brook – that is, through
Brook’s practical interpretations of their methods. I personally didn’t get on with this book, but some people
find it revelatory. See what you
think!
Video Performances
Streetcar
Names Desire
*On the
Waterfront
Important performances by the “original” (and arguably still the best) actor who uses Strasberg’s method.
Are you in search of a methodology?
Try these guys: