Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Kindle
$11.01

Available instantly

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
$12.92

Paperback
$11.59

List Price: $16.99 Details

Save: $5.40 (32%)

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Friday, January 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Select delivery location

In Stock

$$11.59 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Monday, January 22 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 23 hrs 9 mins

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Fast Books Now

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Follow the author

Peter Brook

Follow

The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate Paperback – December 1, 1995

by Peter Brook (Author)

4.5 486 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.59","priceAmount":11.59,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"59","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"ClaIP10X0gPP%2FHuWTy%2Fw%2FKe7ymBKdv%2F9dkWD2p8ft2rGlE9nnU%2BK8JVx%2FsjQXHbevKgzuSTWzTj%2BDr0PEvtr42HcH0jhbrwCJrbvcy2JQL9OntoT7yJsd3CgZnlLHzdqannirkyQ%2Frc%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$6.79","priceAmount":6.79,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"6","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"79","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"ClaIP10X0gPP%2FHuWTy%2Fw%2FKe7ymBKdv%2F9Yh7KeebmThxvJywM7wXv7vOmtJwnxav92Nc3klxNBEwzeDsNr8JmKf4jzMpHtgUnWKmZms6inQCQUvemR4xVnOnZ%2FAR5x476W%2Bd4bqJ0eH2MUeZUVzInf9ZUjhOUQYfpxRQu4%2Fuv5yTEK%2Fv3JVmkUatsfK5%2FIJlm","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A timeless classic on the art of theatre from the most influential stage director of the twentieth century.

In this seminal and iconoclastic book, groundbreaking director and cofounder of the Royal Shakespeare Company Peter Brook draws on a life in love with the stage to explore the issues facing a theatrical performance. He describes important developments in theatre from the last century, as well as smaller scale events, from productions by Stanislavsky to the rise of Method Acting, from Brecht’s revolutionary alienation technique to the free form Happenings of the 1960s, and from the different styles of such great Shakespearean actors as John Gielgud and Paul Scofield to a joyous impromptu performance in the burnt-out shell of the Hamburg Opera just after the war. Along the way, Brook provides theatre-makers with an indispensable guide to creating exhilarating and fresh performances.

Passionate, unconventional, and fascinating, The Empty Space shows how theatre defies rules, builds and shatters illusions, and creates lasting memories for its audiences.

Amazon.com Review

Peter Brook's career, beginning in the 1940s with radical productions of Shakespeare with a modern experimental sensibility and continuing to his recent work in the worlds of opera and epic theater, makes him perhaps the most influential director of the 20th century. Cofounder of the Royal Shakespeare Company and director of the International Center for Theater Research in Paris, perhaps Brook's greatest legacy will be The Empty Space. His 1968 book divides the theatrical landscape, as Brook saw it, into four different types: the Deadly Theater (the conventional theater, formulaic and unsatisfying), the Holy Theater (which seeks to rediscover ritual and drama's spiritual dimension, best expressed by the writings of Artaud and the work of director Jerzy Grotowski), the Rough Theater (a theater of the people, against pretension and full of noise and action, best typified by the Elizabethan theater), and the Immediate Theater, which Brook identifies his own career with, an attempt to discover a fluid and ever-changing style that emphasizes the joy of the theatrical experience. What differentiates Brook's writing from so many other theatrical gurus is its extraordinary clarity. His gentle illumination of the four types of theater is conversational, even chatty, and though passionately felt, it's entirely lacking in the sort of didactic bombast that flaws many similar texts. --John Longenbaugh

Review

“Peter Brook speaks of the theater of the past and the present, of its changes, of its various forms, of what he has seen and sees and of his own work. He speaks with the eloquence, and with the excitement of the explorer finding his way into a vast unknown but, he believes, knowable world…The Empty Space is a brilliantly written, even ecstatic book, full of information of the world’s theater and of this ecstatic book, full of information of the world’s theater and of this leading worker in the theater.” –Herman Shumlin, Chicago Sun-Times

“Peter Brook has written a book that is really about the theater. When he speaks about himself, it is with a view to impart ideas pertinent to craftsmen, serious playgoers and critics alike…What I treasure most in the book is that it always harks back to the artistic, social psychological, practical bases of the theater as a concern of cultural significance.” –Harold Clurman, The New York Times Book Review

“This is a brilliant book, and should be read by many besides the passionate few to whom it will be required reading.”–W. A. Darlington, The Daily Telegraph (London)

“Theatergoers who care about the nature and destination of contemporary drama will be drawn to The Empty Space with ravenous interest.” –Time

“The parts of the book which I enjoyed without reservation were Brook’s brief but marvelous analyses of Shakespeare’s King Lear and Measure for Measure, two plays of which he has made outstandingly the best production of our day.” –Tyrone Guthrie, The Minneapolis Star

"A classic...a hugely influential analysis of the problems confronting contemporary theatre. It's a powerful expression of the belief that it is performance, not a play text in the abstract, that is the essence of stage art."–Paul Taylor, The Independent

“Since there is no one on the theatrical scene quite like Brook, there is no other book quite like this one. A must for any and every college library."–Choice

About the Author

Peter Brook was one of the world’s best-known theatre directors. His remarkable achievements include his productions of Titus Andronicus with Laurence Olivier, King Lear with Paul Scofield, and Marat/Sade and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both for the Royal Shakespeare Company. After moving to Paris and establishing the International Centre for Theatre Research in 1970 and the International Centre for Theatre Creation when he opened the Bouffes du Nord in 1974, he produced a series of events which pushed at the boundaries of theatre, including Conference of the Birds, The Ik, The Mahabharata,and The Tragedy of Carmen.His films included Lord of the Flies, Marat/Sade, King Lear, The Mahabharata, Tell Me Lies,and Meetings with Remarkable Men. Brook was the author of The Empty Space, The Quality of Mercy,and Tip of the Tongue, which have been published in many languages throughout the world.

Print length

144 pages
Language

English
Publication date

December 1, 1995
Dimensions

5.31 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0689705581
ISBN-13

978-0684829579
See all details

Frequently bought together

The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate

$11.59

Get it as soon as Friday, Jan 19

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$36.42

Get it as soon as Friday, Jan 19

Only 20 left in stock - order soon.

Sold by itemspopularsonlineaindemand and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.

+

A Sense of Direction: Some Observations on the Art of Directing

$19.95

Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 22

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Frank Hauser
180
Paperback
33 offers from $10.99
David Ball
459
Paperback
38 offers from $13.00
Augusto Boal
185
Paperback
47 offers from $2.94
Michael Bloom
133
Paperback
1 offer from $10.80
56
Amazon's Choice
in Planners
1 offer from $18.89
Karen Brewster
145
Paperback
21 offers from $15.14

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0684829576
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Reprint edition (December 1, 1995)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0689705581
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684829579
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #128,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #30 in Performing Arts History & Criticism
- #38 in Theater Direction & Production (Books)
- #46 in Stagecraft (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 486 ratings

Important information

To report an issue with this product or seller, click here.

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Peter Brook

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

486 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Michael Kennedy

Perhaps one of the most dangerous books you will ever read. So read it.

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2014

Verified Purchase

Be careful. This book could change your life. It changed mine. I read The Empty Space in 1974. I was so blown away by the ideas within this book, I quit my job, moved to a large metropolitan area, and ended up running a theater, directing plays in other theaters, then teaching theater for the next twenty years. What this book does is teach important lessons in creating and appreciating art. Upon rereading The Empty Space, I find some of the writing to be a bit pretentious, but on the whole, the lessons are solid. Whether exploring theater, literature, art, music, or any other creative endeavor, this books shows that experiencing an artistic event can and should be a transformative experience. What is particularly refreshing is it doesn't sugar-coat the arts. There is no formula or how-to instructions on creating good work. Risk is not only encouraged, it is necessary. Brook also shows how the arts can be manipulated to lull and pacify. The four essays/lectures on Deadly Theater, Holy Theater, Rough Theater, and Immediate Theater are as fresh to day as they were 40 years ago. Update - After 50 years, I reread this book. While the examples are somewhat outdated, and in retrospect - speaking as a 73 year old man rather than a 23 year old man, I can see how Brook has placed several qualifiers within the fabric of the text to offset his thoughts. It's a bit arrogant, and self-serving, and he tends to presume that audiences bear a curious responsibility to embrace what they are watching. Plus, he qualifies everything he writes with the phrase on page 140, saying, "this book is already moving out of date." He's right. The examples are dated, but so what? The essential truth comes through, as stated on page, 136. It's all about what remains. Beyond all the deadly, holy, rough, and immediate, what stays with you? For that, you are going to have to read The Empty Space.

30 people found this helpful

Helpful

Edward Nagel

BEST THEATRE BOOK BY BEST THEATRE GENIUS

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is the most in depth study of the modern theatre by
a genius director. His view of NYC theatre being deadly
is, in my experience working off off B'way theater, is spot on.
NYC theatre is dead and getting deader since all the
young actors and directors are being trained by studios who are
living in the past. NYC theatre is at the same dead level
as it was in the 30s, 40s and 50s when The Theatre of the
Absurd playwrights- Beckett, Genet, Pinter, Onesco, Albee
and is described by Andre Gregory and Wally Shawn in their
classic film My Dinner With Andre, that NYC theatre is controlled
by a conspiracy of commercial interests based on money which
keeps the audience bored and asleep because if you are asleep
you can't say no!

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

There was some damage on the physical book itself, which was a downer.

However, despite being 52 years since its original publishing, The Empty Space identifies many challenging questions about the theatre that are still applicable today. It's a very contemplative piece that warrants occasional pause and process.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

pleinelune

GREAT BOOK for THEATRE MAJORS or ANYONE interested in Theatre!

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is one of those must haves for THEATRE LOVERS! Interesting perspective and a unique book. Bought for one of my students majoring in theatre.

Helpful

Joseph Simpich

One of the tomes of world stage craft

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a pamphlet of extremely practical advice without pretense on ANY stagecraft. Plus, an anecdote from Peter Brook is worth the price of ten copies. A must read.

Helpful

Barbara Ardinger

you will probably enjoy the book

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2017

Verified Purchase

The book is as dated as Brook now is. But he sure had some interesting ideas. If you're into theatrical philosophy, you will probably enjoy the book.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Bill Thompson

Empty Space but not Empty Head

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

Good books about theatre in general are rare, at least in my perspective. This book is one of the rare ones--it is thought-provoking, illuminating and inspiring. I read this at a time where I was somewhat burned-out on theatre, and it re-inspired me. Brook has a way of writing in general terms, but in a personal and interesting way. I would recommend this to anyone interested in today's theatre.

Helpful

Revanchist

A great book for all involved with the theatre!

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013

Verified Purchase

Peter Brook is great director and innovator in the theatre and in this book he discusses the ways he and others view the theatre in its different aspects and also as a lifestyle.
Filled with wonderful antedotes and so much useful information you'll want to read it twice to make sure you get everything out of it.
I highly recommend this to anyone serious about the theatre, both in performing or directing.

Helpful