Mis-directing the Play

An Argument Against Contemporary Theatre

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Theatre, Direction & Production, Performing Arts, Drama
Cover of the book Mis-directing the Play by Terry McCabe, Ivan R. Dee
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Terry McCabe ISBN: 9781461699415
Publisher: Ivan R. Dee Publication: December 16, 2008
Imprint: Ivan R. Dee Language: English
Author: Terry McCabe
ISBN: 9781461699415
Publisher: Ivan R. Dee
Publication: December 16, 2008
Imprint: Ivan R. Dee
Language: English

Terry McCabe, himself an accomplished stage director and teacher of theatre arts, here attacks what he calls the growing decadence that plagues contemporary stage directing. He argues for a radical reorganization of the director's view of his role. It has become an article of faith in the theatre, Mr. McCabe observes, that a play is about what the director chooses to have it be about. But what right does a director have to treat a play as a found object, to be reshaped to express the director's concerns? None whatsoever, Mr. McCabe replies. He examines anecdotally a range of work by different directors by way of offering a substantial critique of today's leading theory of stage directing, and he offers an alternate approach. He challenges the notion that a play is the director's vehicle for self-expression, arguing that the idea of the director as centerpiece of the theatre tends to distort plays and oppress actors. He explores what it means to direct a play when directing is properly understood as a process of self-effacement. Mis-directing the Play examines the role of the director as collaborator with actors, designers, dramaturges, and playwrights. Throughout, the book's focus is on shedding the counterproductive myth of the director as creative auteur and urging in its place a return to first principles: the idea of the director as the interpretive artist in charge of putting the playwright's play onstage.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Terry McCabe, himself an accomplished stage director and teacher of theatre arts, here attacks what he calls the growing decadence that plagues contemporary stage directing. He argues for a radical reorganization of the director's view of his role. It has become an article of faith in the theatre, Mr. McCabe observes, that a play is about what the director chooses to have it be about. But what right does a director have to treat a play as a found object, to be reshaped to express the director's concerns? None whatsoever, Mr. McCabe replies. He examines anecdotally a range of work by different directors by way of offering a substantial critique of today's leading theory of stage directing, and he offers an alternate approach. He challenges the notion that a play is the director's vehicle for self-expression, arguing that the idea of the director as centerpiece of the theatre tends to distort plays and oppress actors. He explores what it means to direct a play when directing is properly understood as a process of self-effacement. Mis-directing the Play examines the role of the director as collaborator with actors, designers, dramaturges, and playwrights. Throughout, the book's focus is on shedding the counterproductive myth of the director as creative auteur and urging in its place a return to first principles: the idea of the director as the interpretive artist in charge of putting the playwright's play onstage.

More books from Ivan R. Dee

Cover of the book Navy Pier by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Instant Shakespeare by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Kant in 90 Minutes by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Are Cops Racist? by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book The Faculty Lounges by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Hour Chicago by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book The Prince of Homburg by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Childhood by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Not With a Bang But a Whimper by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book A Nation Within a Nation by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Lysistrata by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Hank Greenberg: The Story of My Life by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Rethinking the Great Depression by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book The North Fights the Civil War: The Home Front by Terry McCabe
Cover of the book Lost Earth by Terry McCabe
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy