Jacques Lecoq

by Simon Murray

Overview

This volume offers a concise guide to the teaching and philosophy of one of the most significant figures in twentieth century actor training. Jacques Lecoq's influence on the theatre of the latter half of the twentieth century cannot be overestimated.

Now reissued Jacques Lecoq is the first book to combine:

• an historical introduction to his life and the context in which he worked
• an analysis of his teaching methods and principles of body work, movement, creativity, and contemporary theatre
• detailed studies of the work of Theatre de Complicite and Mummenschanz
• practical exercises demonstrating Lecoq's distinctive approach to actor training.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138570795
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/12/2017
Series:	Routledge Performance Practitioners
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x (d)

About the Author

Simon Murray is Senior Lecturer in Theatre Studies at the University of Glasgow.

Table of Contents

THE LIFE OF JACQUES LECOQ

Jacques Lecoq (1921–99)

Jacques Lecoq: actor, director and teacher

Jacques Lecoq and the Western tradition of actor training

Jacques Lecoq: the body and culture

Summary and conclusion

THE TEXTS OF JACQUES LECOQ

Lecoq’s pedagogy: from practice to principles (and back)

Acting for the theatre of the future

End words

TRACES OF JACQUES LECOQ: THÉÂTRE DE COMPLICITÉ’S STREET OF CROCODILES AND THE WORK OF MUMMENSCHANZ

The case of Théâtre de Complicité

The Street of Crocodiles

The case of Mummenschanz

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

Aims

Background and context

Approach

Preparatory exercises

I push . . . I pull: towards the dynamics of melodrama

I am pushed . . . I am pulled: towards the dynamics of tragedy

I push myself . . . I pull myself: towards the dynamics of commedia dell’arte

Debrief

CONCLUSION