Description
Jacques Copeau, founder of the Theatre du Vieux Colombier in Paris, is a major figure in the history of early 20th-century theatre. Though his interests ranged from religion and politics to education and child psychology, his sensibility was dramatic, and he related all his thoughts to theatre practice and training. This book is the first anthology of Copeau’s writing to be translated into English. Drawn from a wide range of published and unpublished works, it offers an opportunity to evaluate the scope and importance of his lifetime search for a true theatrical renovation. Organized thematically rather than chronologically, the book also reveals Copeau’s consistency of vision throughout his career. In addition to his concept of a unified stage production under the inspiration of a single director/conductor, Copeau swept the stage clear of naturalistic decor to emphasize the predominance of the play itself and of the actor. For Copeau this meant the complete personal education of the actor as opposed to a mere dramatic training in order to achieve what he called “the renewal of man in the theatre”.
