Way of Acting the Theatre Writings of Tadashi Suzuki

Rating:
Summary: Diary from a Chapter of the Artist's life.
Review: The original title of this book, "The Power to Transcend Boundaries", is really more accurate since the book focuses on the artist's reflections on the nature of the Japanese traditional theatre and its post-war rebirth within his own aesthetic. "The Grammar of the Feet" is a particularly strong chapter, calling for a return to the wealth of sensitivities to be found within the relation of the bare foot to the stage. This "foot grammar" was something largely removed from the Japanese theatre of Suzuki's youth in the late 50's, when shoe-clad actors endeavored to imitate western naturalism.

While artist's retreats are by no means a new thing, Suzuki's tale of finding the soul of his company by moving the troupe out of Tokyo and into the deserted mountain village of Toga is truly poetic, even heroic. While by no means providing a fully realized "way of acting", or even a good description of his well-known method (though the photos of the actor Kenji are quite helpful), the book still gives a fine glimpse into some of the artist's keen observations on the essence of the theatrical act. These, while stemming from Japanese tradition, speak profoundly to anyone who has sought a life on the stage. Suzuki has published several other books which might more appropriately be titled "The Way of Acting" ("The Cozening Horizon", "What Theatre Is." and "The Sum of Internal Angles" being among them) but these sadly have no full English translation at present.

Rating:
Summary: Diary from a Chapter of the Artist's life.
Review: This book explores the wonderful techniques of Tadashi Suzuki, who often works hand in hand with Anne Bogart. The book is a spiritual and magical take on acting, concentrating on the actor's body and mind rather than his/her lines and blocking. It is a refreshing and challenging technique that is beautifully and simply explained in this book. Complete with pictures of the artist himself, the book is a wonderful way to get your feet wet in the Suzuki/Bogart technique.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: This book explores the wonderful techniques of Tadashi Suzuki, who often works hand in hand with Anne Bogart. The book is a spiritual and magical take on acting, concentrating on the actor's body and mind rather than his/her lines and blocking. It is a refreshing and challenging technique that is beautifully and simply explained in this book. Complete with pictures of the artist himself, the book is a wonderful way to get your feet wet in the Suzuki/Bogart technique.