Peter Brook was born in Turnham Green Chiswick in 1925. He is an English theatre/film maker and director and has been working for many decades meaning he has seen theatrical styles come/go and evolve. His work definitely reflects this as he doesn't limit himself to one kind of theatre and will work with many forms such as "The Mahabharata" which incorporated traditional eastern Kathak dance. He has won many awards including an Olivier, a Tony and a an Emmy. Brook's work is inspired by Antonin Artaud and his Theatre of Cruelty. (see previous post) Peter Brook undertook a season at the Royal Shakespeare Company, aiming to explore ways Artaud's ideas could be used to "find new forms of expression and retrain the performer". This indicates how Peter Brook would not be afraid to use other practitioners methodologies to enhance his own work; exploration and deviation from the conventional and commercialised was Brook's objective.
The Empty Space - Condensed contextual seminar:
"Any empty space is a place of infinite possibility, objects too taken out of context are full of potential"
Deadly Theatre: This is a contrived, formulaic and commercialised form of theatre. Most prevalent in the West end and Broadway where profit is the most important part of the production, Bad acting, bad everything! Introspective, atypical stories, "Man finds himself learning lessons along the way" However to be deadly isn't dead; it is still capable of resurrection. It is alive just in the wrong way.
Holy Theatre: Transcends ordinary life, is like a temple; deep messages and symbolism good theatre although there is not a big enough audience doesn't speak to many people. Artuad/Grotowski work. Limited to itself.
Rough Theatre: Any form that doesn't not exist in a conventional theatrical space. Source of most of renaissances in drama throughout history. Usually political or satirical theatre that makes a comment on society. Brechtian theatre can fall into this category; opposite of Holy Theatre.
Immediate Theatre: Actors become like mediums; totally in the moment. Translating feelings and impression to an audience who are carried along with them. Instant creativity; spontaneity, impulses raw instinct.
Peter Brook's work can all be summed up in three words:
Simplicity. Honesty. Truth
The Empty Space - Condensed contextual seminar:
"Any empty space is a place of infinite possibility, objects too taken out of context are full of potential"
Deadly Theatre: This is a contrived, formulaic and commercialised form of theatre. Most prevalent in the West end and Broadway where profit is the most important part of the production, Bad acting, bad everything! Introspective, atypical stories, "Man finds himself learning lessons along the way" However to be deadly isn't dead; it is still capable of resurrection. It is alive just in the wrong way.
Holy Theatre: Transcends ordinary life, is like a temple; deep messages and symbolism good theatre although there is not a big enough audience doesn't speak to many people. Artuad/Grotowski work. Limited to itself.
Rough Theatre: Any form that doesn't not exist in a conventional theatrical space. Source of most of renaissances in drama throughout history. Usually political or satirical theatre that makes a comment on society. Brechtian theatre can fall into this category; opposite of Holy Theatre.
Immediate Theatre: Actors become like mediums; totally in the moment. Translating feelings and impression to an audience who are carried along with them. Instant creativity; spontaneity, impulses raw instinct.
Peter Brook's work can all be summed up in three words:
Simplicity. Honesty. Truth
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