An Actor's WorkStanislavski’s ‘system’ has dominated actor-training in the West since his writings were first translated into English in the 1920s and 30s. His systematic attempt to outline a psycho-physical technique for acting single-handedly revolutionized standards of acting in the theatre. Until now, readers and students have had to contend with inaccurate, misleading and difficult-to-read English-language versions. Some of the mistranslations have resulted in profound distortions in the way his system has been interpreted and taught. At last, Jean Benedetti has succeeded in translating Stanislavski’s huge manual into a lively, fascinating and accurate text in English. He has remained faithful to the author's original intentions, putting the two books previously known as An Actor Prepares and Building A Character back together into one volume, and in a colloquial and readable style for today's actors. The result is a major contribution to the theatre, and a service to one of the great innovators of the twentieth century. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by the director Richard Eyre. |
Contents
Action if Given Circumstances | |
The Supertask Throughaction | |
EMBODIMENT | |
Transition to Physical Embodiment | |
Physical Education | |
Voice and Speech | |
Perspective of the Actor and the Role | |
TempoRhythm | |
Logic and Sequence | |
Imagination | |
Concentration and Attention | |
Muscular Release | |
Bits and Tasks | |
Belief and the Sense of Truth | |
Emotion Memory | |
Communication | |
An Actors Adaptations and Other Elements Qualities Aptitudes and Gifts | |
Inner Psychological Drives | |
Inner Psychological Drives in Action | |
The Actors Inner Creative State | |
Physical Characteristics | |
The Finishing Touches | |
Charisma | |
Ethics and Discipline | |
The External Creative State in Performance | |
General Creative State in Performance | |
The System | |
APPENDICES | |
ENDNOTES | |
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS | |
AFTERWORD BY ANATOLY SMELIANSKY | |