The Open Door: Thoughts on Acting and Theatre [Paperback]

Peter Brook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1995

From King Lear to the Tragedy of Carmen, from Marat/Sade to the epic Mahabharata, Peter Brook has reinvented modern theatre, not once but again and again. In The Open Door the visionary director and theorist offers a lucid, comprehensive exposition of the philosophy that underlies his work.

It is a philosophy of paradoxes: We come to the theatre to find life, but that life must be different from the life we find outside. Actors have to prepare painstakingly yet be willing to sacrifice the results of their preparation. The director’s most reliable tool may be his capacity to be bored. Brook illustrates these principles with anecdotes that span his entire career and that demonstrate his familiarity with Shakespeare, Chekhov, and the indigenous theatres of India and Iran. The result is an unparalleled look at what happens both onstage and behind the scenes, fresh in its insights and elegant in its prose.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The author, a former director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and now head of the International Centre for Theatre Creation in Paris, shares his thoughts on the theater and its changing role in today's society. In order to make the theater more relevant to the public and to bring out the very best in the performers, Brook believes in breaking down barriers of time and space, like having performances in an empty area, surrounded by the audience. These three essays, along with Brook's earlier books about the theater (e.g., The Shifting Point , HarperCollins, 1987) will fascinate and challenge the reader. Directors, performers, and devotees will find this essential reading. Recommended for comprehensive drama collections.
- Howard E. Miller, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Missouri Lib., St. Louis
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

What is theater? International film and stage director Peter Brook examines this question in a series of three essays. By drawing on his own professional experiences, Brook approaches theater not as a cultural event but, rather, as an event of culture. Although Western cultures often perceive theater as a divertissement, other cultures esteem theater on significantly more intimate terms. From the Japanese No to the Iranian Ta'azieh to his own production of Shakespeare's Tempest, Brook offers insights into how, as a director, he meets the emotional needs of the audience. Edward Lighthart --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559361026
• ISBN-13: 978-1559361026
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #517,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brook at his finest, December 1, 2002

By 

"psyges" (Indiana, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Open Door: Thoughts on Acting and Theatre (Paperback)

This is really an extension of Brook's ideas in "The Empty Space." It is my favorite work of his, as the writing is much simpler and digestable than I am used to, yet it is no less insightful and inspiring.

I feel that anyone who loves theater should read Brook: I always come away from his ideas feeling inspired and invigorated: my mind spinning with countless new possibilities. Thinking both as a director and an actor, I find Brook very useful. Perhaps his best quality is his love of experimentation- of finding what works but being ready to reject it for something better. Brook is an explorer more than a theorist. This collection of essays/speeches is an important aid to understanding where his journeys have taken him in his understanding of what makes good theatre.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for someone looking for the immediacy of classic drama, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Open Door: Thoughts on Acting and Theatre (Paperback)

This is a collection of three shorter pieces: essays, transcriptions of speeches, etc. The book is well-edited and provides a good insight into the experiences which seem to have motivated Brook to do the kind of ground-breaking he is noted for. However, if you're looking for a single, clear thesis, try a different book.

I highly recommend this book.