Books by Peter Brook

Explores the issues facing theatrical performances. This work describes important developments in theatre from the last century, as well as smaller scale events, from productions by Stanislavsky to the rise of Method Acting. It also shows how theatre defies rules, builds and shatters illusions and creates lasting memories for its audiences.

In this collection of new essays, the world-renowned director Peter Brook offers unique and personal insights into sound and music - from the surprising impact of Broadway musicals on his famous Midsummer Night's Dream, to the allure of applause, and on to the ultimate empty space: silence.

In his new book, the world-famous theatre director Peter Brook illuminates his discussion of language - ranging from Shakespearean to Franglais - with insightful perceptions and haunting parables for our time, delivered in his customarily sagacious style.

In The Quality of Mercy, one of the world's most revered theatre directors reflects on a fascinating variety of Shakespearean topics. In this sequence of essays - all but one published here for the first time - Peter Brook debates such questions as who was the man who wrote Shakespeare's plays, why Shakespeare is never out of date, and how actors should approach Shakespeare's verse. He also revisits some of the plays which he has directed with notable brilliance, such as King Lear, Titus Andronicus and, of course, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Taken as a whole, this short but immensely wise book offers an illuminating and provocative insight into a great director's relationship with our greatest playwright. 'This book is an invaluable gift from the greatest Shakespeare director of our time... Brook's genius, modesty and brilliance shine through on every page.' James Shapiro, author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare 'Exquisite... enthralling... This short, modest and brilliant book does more than many more grandiose tomes to renew the reader's fascination with the plays, and the theatre-goer's wonder at the extraordinary and diverse situations locked up inside the First Folio. It should be required reading at all universities and drama clubs' Guardian 'This volume positively seethes and sparkles with ideas... provides not only acute insights into the texts, but intriguing details of performance history, and a few morsels of grand theatrical gossip' - Scotsman 'Should be required reading for any aspiring young directors and actors but also all serious theatregoers... the writing is a model of clarity, the ideas challenging but sensible... it should be on every reader's bookshelf' - British Theatre Guide

An autobiography of Peter Brook charting his career of over fifty years in theatrical direction from major post-war productions, through a radicalisation of his approach in the 1960s and his exploration of the roots of non-Western theatre in the 70s and 80s, to Paris and his founding of the theatrical company where he still works today.

In this volume, distinguished director Peter Brook provides candid answers to questions on his work and philosophy. Topics covered range from his innovative, award-winning production of "Marat/Sade" to his film and stage version of "King Lear".

Using Oliver Sacks' neurological study "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" as its inspiration, "The Man Who" offers a series of doctor/patient scenarios that examine our attempts to understand the workings of the brain.

Peter Brook is the most consistently innovative director in Western theatre. In these three essays he returns to the concept of his first book The Empty Space and examines what that means for the life of a production.

In The Shifting Point, his first book since The Empty Space, Brook assesses the lessons of his pioneering work from his brilliant debut at Stratford and the West End in the 1960s to the triumphant success of The Mahabharata.

A revised edition of Peter Brook's take on Shakespeare, with a new chapter. The book addresses a number of questions about performing Shakespeare today: Why is Shakespeare not out of date? What do we mean by Shakespeare's "genius" or "creativity".