Space in Performance : Making Meaning in the Theatre

Rating:
Summary: unique study of the theory and practice of theatre
Review: "Theatre is a place where fiction and reality come together to problematize each other. . . The tension between the two is always present, and, indeed, it can be argued that it is precisely the dual presence of the real and the not real that is constitutive of theatre." - G. McAuley

McAuley combines theoretical work done in performance theory, ethnography, presentational aesthetics, and actor/director training, with her field research done at the Centre for Performance Studies in Sydney, Australia, to present a comprehensive and original examination of the use and influence of space at all levels of the theatrical process. The resulting book is a wonderful resource for any actor, director, theorist, or visual artist who must take seriously the use of space in making meaning.

Unlike many other texts dealing with performance theory, "Space in Performance" uses as a foundation detailed analyses of theatre rehearsals, including discussions of actors, directors, and audience members. This style of ethnography is most common in anthropological analyses of religious and cultural rituals-- or less often to the performances of plays-- but McAuley's focus is on process of creating a performance, instead of the performance itself.

As a director and theorist, I found McAuley's work unbelieveably useful in thinking about space and meaning. The topics range from the shape and location of the theatre building exterior to the physical arrangement and handling of the printed script. It is a must-read for performance theorists and theatre practitioners.