Jacques Copeau Routledge Performance Practitioners Series

This book examines Jacques Copeau, a leading figure in the development of twentieth-century theatre practice, a pioneer in actor-training, physical theatre and ensemble acting, and a key innovator in the movement to de-centralize theatre and culture to the regions.

Noe reissued, Jacques Copeau combines:

• an overview of Copeau's life and work
• an analysis of his key ideas
• a detailed commentary of his 1917 production of Moliere's late farce Les Fourberies de Scapin ? the opening performance of his influential New York season
• a series of practical exercises offering an introduction to Copeau's working methods.

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.

THE LIFE OF JACQUES COPEAU

The formative years

The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier (1913–1917)

The Vieux-Colombier in New York (1917–1919)

The Company returns and the School re-opens (1919–1924)

The retreat to Burgundy – Les Copiaus (1924–1929)

Popular theatre, the Comédie-Française, and sacred drama (1929–1949)

Le Patron

COPEAU’S KEY WRITINGS AND IDEAS

The rejuvenation of the theatre

The education of the creative actor

Popular forms of theatre: ancient, modern and sacred

COPEAU’S IDEAS IN PRODUCTION: LES FOURBERIES DE SCAPIN

Les Fourberies de Scapin (The Tricks of Scapin) by Molière

The play: a synopsis of the plot

Why did Copeau choose this play?

Staging

Rehearsing and acting: the actor’s approach to

Les Fourberies de Scapin

A different kind of realism

Symbolism and Scapin

Framing the event

Critical reaction

Where next: a new commedia?

ACROBATS OF THE SOUL: PRACTICAL EXERCISE FOR THE ACTOR

Educating the actor: the context

Before beginning

Physical preparation

Improvisation

Mask-work

The chorus

The journey’s end

COPEAU’S LEGACY

Mark Evans is Professor of Theatre Training and Education, at Coventry University.