Michael Chekhov

Franc Chamberlain is Professor of Drama, Theatre and Performance at the University of Huddersfield, UK, and the series editor for Routledge Performance Practitioners.

List of figures

Preface to the second edition

Acknowledgements

I. BIOGRAPHY AND CONTEXT

Childhood

Chekhov at the Maly

The Moscow Art Theatre

Chekhov at the second MAT

The Path of the Actor

Exile

Wandering 1928–35

The studios

The Hollywood years

2. WRITINGS ON THE TECHNIQUE OF ACTING

Introduction

The actor's body and psychology

Imagination and the incorporation of images

Improvisation and ensemble

Atmosphere and individual feelings

The Psychological Gesture

Character and characterisation

The higher self and creative individuality

3. CHEKHOV AS DIRECTOR

Choosing the focus

The Possessed (1939)

Twelfth Night (1940)

Pickwick

Some thoughts on the rehearsal process

4. PRACTICAL EXERCISES

Introduction

Crossing the threshold

Making contact

Confidence

Concentration

Significance

The four brothers

Atmosphere

Actions and qualities

Archetypal gestures

Imagination

Centres

Archetypes

Imaginary bodies

Objectives and the Psychological Gesture

Ensemble and group sculptures

Rehearsal

AFTERWORD: COMING UP TO DATE

The first fifty years

The field begins to expand (2004–2009)

Towards the future

Bibliography

Index