Michael Chekhov (Routledge Performance Practitioners)

All books in the Routledge Performance Practitioners series are carefully designed to enable the reader to understand the work of a key practitioner. They provide the first step towards critical understanding and a springboard for further study for students on twentieth century, contemporary theatre and theatre history courses. Michael Chekhov's unique approach to and lasting impact on actor training is only now beginning to be fully appreciated. This volume provides, for the first time, a fully comprehensive introduction to his life and times, his most notable productions, his classic writings and his practical exercises. Franc Chamberlain unravels Chekhov's contributions to modern theatre through: an exploration of his life examination of his major work analysis of Checkhov's key productions reproduction of practical exercises. Routledge Performance Practitioners is a series of introductory guides to the key theatre-makers of the last century. Each volume explains the background to and the work of one of the major influences on 20th and 21st century performance.These compact, well-illustrated and clearly written books will unravel the contribution of modern theatre's most charismatic innovators, through: *Personal biography *Explanation of key writings *Description of significant productions *Reproduction of practical exercises As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners are unbeatable value for today's student. Michael Chekhov provides an accessible introductory guide to the work of this leading figure in theatre history. Michael Chekhov was Stanislavsky's star student and a master acting teacher. Exiled from Soviet Russia, he made his way to England and then to the United States, spending his last years as an actor and acting teacher in Hollywood. Along the way he introduced countless students to his acting technique known most famously for its "psychological gesture." Series editor Franc Chamberlain traces Chekhov's history and development, and lays a workshop-structured series of exercises for actors studying the Chekhov technique. Invigorating and insightful, the volume will help acting students to engage their imaginations and understand this fascinating man This volume provides, for the first time, a fully comprehensive introduction to Chekov's life and times, his most notable productions, his classic writings and his practical exercises Franc Chamberlain. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [145]-148) And Index.