Customer Reviews

Between Two Silences: Talking with Peter Brook

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"Between Two Silences: Talking With Peter Brook" is the account of a conversation between Peter Brook and an academic audience over a period of several days. Intelligently edited by Dale Moffitt, it displays Brook's first rate mind. I assume the book would be helpful to students of drama and of Brook's work; my purpose is to recommend it to more general readers. Brook has keen insights into human nature and motivation, with zesty comments about ego, hierarchies, awareness of one's surroundings, and focusing on the material at hand. I profited from his comments about working with what is available, in terms of budget, personnel, setting, and so on. Anyone who needs to work with a team with limited resources, whether in business, academia, government, or even the church, will find here a comrade and a masterful intellect. Brook was clearly "present" to his audience during these conversations. One can understand that the same presence is the key to his remarkable accomplishments in directing.

Dale Moffitt has brilliantly interlaced his own annecdotes and charm to this fine portrait of the legendary theatre director, Peter Brook.

There are no empty spaces in THIS book! Cover to cover, it is a compelling voyage into the creative mind of an inspired director who has influenced the art of theatre to its very core.

Moffitt's selection of Brook's observations, clearly reverberate his own cleverness, wit, and keen understanding of the stage.

Dale Moffitt's years as an actor, director and teacher give him the experience to expose the complexities and richness of Peter Brook's thoughts. Rarely has this gifted giant of the theatre been revealed so succinctly as in this book. Edited from hours of master classes with students and teachers during a week in residency at SMU's Meadows School of the Arts, Moffitt's legendary ability as a theatre professor allows him to take Brook's ruminations and compose a compelling conversation that extends far beyond the stage.

Dale Moffitt, a wonderful acting teacher in his own right, presents this wonderfully useful insight into the often complex world of Peter Brook. Moffitt's own spirit shines through this book, illuminating Brook in an marvelous new light. For me, this is the next best thing to having Brook or Moffitt right there in the classroom with you!

Dale Moffitt breathes clarity into Brook's words and often circular ideas that may have been missed otherwise. As a member of the theatre community, I feel blessed that someone was able to illustrate Mr. Brook's forum to the Dallas area. We are lucky to have such a thoughtful insight into the week-long visit of Brook's.

I am a great admirer of Dale Moffitt's devotion to the art of acting. He has constructed a book that is an imperative read for those interested in the craft of acting. Brook's thoughts are carefully put together creating an eye-opener for those who may have forgotten why theatre exists. Brook and Moffitt combine for a stunning book that should be read by all who find the art of theatre to be worthy of consideration.

This book is should be required for all students of theater. Not only does it offer inspiration, practical insight, and thought provoking questions, it is an exciting read. It is an indispensable companion to "The Empty Space." Brook's ideas are vital and timeless, and Dr. Moffitt serves as both guide and translator through them. No theater Library would be complete without this tome of wisdom from two living legends: Peter Brook and Dr. Dale Moffitt.

Dr. Dale Moffitt's stellar editing of Brook's spoken words is a feat of great importance and magnitude. Cheers!

Interviews that reveal more about the man and his art than you could ever expect.