Stuff About Peter Brooks

Peter Brook has been writing

an experimental designer and practitioner,

influential

experimental stagings of classical dramas

• greek
• shakespearan
• ex: midsummer nights dream into a circus theme

Introduced a new approach to Shakespeare

wrote many essays about the dead holy and rough theatre

his goal is immediate theatre

• he does not like talking or referring to the past, he believes theatre is in the moment and created through a improvisation

1971, he walked away from the British Theatre

international center of theatre research

he wanted to see what would happen if he got people from all over the world to become a theatre company (africa, england, india, united states) all in French 

started creating theatre and experimenting with theatre

not all could speak english but were able to communicate and express through physical theatre

a way he improvised and created

took the troupe to africa and went to different villages and perform improvised performances and some audiences even joined in

he made a 9 hour play with his troupe and used only natural elements (rivers, fires, chariot wheels, torch light, mud) use anything to create play

He was very much into the natural environment

the setting is also very natural and yet extremely characteristic and strong

he turned the mahabarata into a play and created the first play which was an Indian classic

• the  coat

He includes the audience into whatever he performs

Actor/audience relationship

• The Suit

Staging form adopted

• not a cluttered stage: minimalism
• not a lot happening to the set but focused on the characters
• very emotional lighting
• very natural setting with many open spaces

Interpretation/production style

• every aspect is planned but is unfolded as it is rehearsed
• the director becomes a part of the ensemble

Design Elements

• very natural
• use of natural elements
• heavily researched designs

Role of actors and performance style/audience response

• actors are encouraged to search within themselves
• trained, and equipped to prepare for any given show

Technical Elements

• white light is extremely important
• maximum use of minimum means
• little/to no use of technology (yet powerful)

Audience Response

• invited to be part of the reaction 
• encouraged to use your imagination