The Moving Body - Le Corps Poetique - Teaching Creative Theatre

Until his death in 1999, Jacques Lecoq taught indefatigably at the International Mime and Theatre school he founded in 1956

Here, for the first time in English and in Lecoq's own words, are his philosophy and his teaching methods - probably the greatest influence on world theatre over the last thirty years

In chapters entitled Personal Journey, The World and its Movements, The Road to Creativity, & New Perspectives, Lecoq sets out his unique architecture of the body in space and explains his most famous techniques such as neutral mask, acrobatics, bouffons and the grotesque and play

He also discusses the actor's approach to situation, character, environment, emotion, physical and vocal preparation and - of course - movement

Lecoq shares his unique philosophy of performance, improvisation, masks, movement and gesture which together form one of the greatest influences on contemporary theatre

Neutral mask, character mask, and counter masks, bouffons, acrobatics and commedia, clowns and complicity

All the famous Lecoq techniques are covered here - techniques that have made their way into the work of former collaborators and students including Dario Fo, Julie Taymor, Ariane Mnouchkine, Yasmina Reza and Theatre de Complicite

Also includes a Foreword by Simon McBurney, Artistic Director of Complicite and an Afterword by Fay Lecoq, Director of the International Theatre School in Paris