On Directing and Dramaturgy: Burning the House

by Eugenio Barba

Overview

"A theatre which is able to speak to each spectator in a different and penetrating language is not a fantastic idea, nor a utopia. This is the theatre for which many of us, directors and leaders of groups, trained for a long time....." - from the Introduction

On Directing is Eugenio Barba's unprecedented account of his own life and work. This is a major retrospective of Barba's working methods, his practical techniques, and the life experiences which fed directly into his theatre-making.

On Directing is an inspirational resource. It is a dramaturgy of dramaturgies, and a professional autobiography, from one of the most significant and influential directors and theorists working today. It provides unique insights into a philosophy and practice of directing for the beginning student, the experienced practitioner, and everyone in between.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415549219
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/02/2009
Series:	Drama and Theatre Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Eugenio Barba

Table of Contents

PROLOGUE INTRODUCTION The field of poppies THE EMPTY RITUAL Word-bridges Where do I come from? A plurality of dramaturgies FIRST INTERMEZZO The children of silence ORGANIC DRAMATURGY AS A LEVEL OF ORGANISATION The actor's dramaturgy The ritual of Disorder Sonorous dramaturgy Dramaturgy of the space Prepare for life and arms The moment of truth SECOND INTERMEZZO What the actors say and the director's reflections NARRATIVE DRAMATURGY AS A LEVEL OF ORGANISATION Creative thought From glance to vision Who made me what I am? Knots Simultaneity: narrating according to the laws of space Exú: swimming in a lasting presence The origin f the Odin road No text, but narrative context Centre of the book Working for the text - working with the text Kaosmos Chained to an oar THIRD INTERMEZZO Twenty years later EVOCATIVE DRAMATURGY AS A LEVEL OF ORGANISATION The Trans-Siberian The torrid zone of memory Winds that burn The spectator's dramaturgy The elusive order Shadows like roots FOUTH INTERMEZZO What a notebook says THEATRE-IN-LIBERTY Burning the house A dramaturgy of dramaturgies Letter from the director to his friend and adviser Nando Taviani Incursions and irruptions EPILOGUE ENVOY

Editorial Reviews

'On Directing and Dramaturgy is a remarkable account of an emotional and passionate engagement with theatre practice as a maker and teacher' – Sam Bicknell, Contemporary Theatre Review

'a deeply rich collection of memoirs, notes, letters, criticism and observation that goes some way towards a demonstrable creative process' – Sam Bicknell, Contemporary Theatre Review

'The material Barba presents and the form his discussion takes are both original. His book includes a wealth of information on the rehearsals of particular pieces by Odin Teatret' – Sam Bicknell, Contemporary Theatre Review

'On Directing and Dramaturgy is a remarkable account of an emotional and passionate engagement with theatre practice as a maker and teacher' – Sam Bicknell, Contemporary Theatre Review

'a book that does well to enrich the canon through its subtly woven documentation of a pedagogy that has never been solely confined to the four walls of a rehearsal room' – Sam Bicknell, Contemporary Theatre Review

From the Publisher