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The Actor and the Space
In his bestselling book The Actor and the Target, Declan Donnellan laid out a fresh and radical approach to acting that has inspired actors around the world.
Now, in The Actor and the Space, he develops and extends those ideas, exploring that most profound source of vitality in life as well as the space around us.
Tackling fundamental questions that face any actor – What makes performance better? How do I create a space for my character to live in? How do I tap into that space, and draw energy from it? – Donnellan offers a universal set of keys to unlock the mysteries of performance.
Full of insightful precepts, acute psychology and practical, hands-on advice, the book presents a bold new way of thinking about acting, illustrated throughout with line-by-line analysis of scenes from Macbeth to show how it works in rehearsal and performance.
Essential reading for any actor or theatre director, The Actor and the Space is also a fascinating distillation of the work of a world-leading director that will reward and enrich anyone with an interest in theatre.
'A hand grenade of a book. It contains all the humility and chutzpah you need to work in the theatre.' Cate Blanchett
'A wonderful book. Few directors think as deeply or perceptively about the art of acting as Declan Donnellan. This is an essential text for the actor, supremely useful, practical, elegant and profound.' Matthew Macfadyen
'Beautifully clear. This generous vision takes a very complex art form and makes it all seem so simple. The whole book is a key. Unlocking the problems actors face as they try to accept another reality long enough to let the audience get a glimpse of the best our art can offer – a glimpse into themselves.' Adrian Lester
'Declan Donnellan's profound insight and point of departure is that great theatre, like a child's sandcastle, inhabits a vulnerable and ever-changing space between the safe and the dangerous. There is a whole lot of wisdom in this book – about tragedy, human psychology, words, dread and about how great acting really works – conveyed with remarkable clarity and simplicity. It's worth sharing with non-actor friends for its insights into Macbeth alone. Most of all, it's a distillation of hard-won lessons learned from decades of immersion in the mysteries of theatre by one of the great directors of our day.' James Shapiro, Shakespeare scholar and author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
Now, in The Actor and the Space, he develops and extends those ideas, exploring that most profound source of vitality in life as well as the space around us.
Tackling fundamental questions that face any actor – What makes performance better? How do I create a space for my character to live in? How do I tap into that space, and draw energy from it? – Donnellan offers a universal set of keys to unlock the mysteries of performance.
Full of insightful precepts, acute psychology and practical, hands-on advice, the book presents a bold new way of thinking about acting, illustrated throughout with line-by-line analysis of scenes from Macbeth to show how it works in rehearsal and performance.
Essential reading for any actor or theatre director, The Actor and the Space is also a fascinating distillation of the work of a world-leading director that will reward and enrich anyone with an interest in theatre.
'A hand grenade of a book. It contains all the humility and chutzpah you need to work in the theatre.' Cate Blanchett
'A wonderful book. Few directors think as deeply or perceptively about the art of acting as Declan Donnellan. This is an essential text for the actor, supremely useful, practical, elegant and profound.' Matthew Macfadyen
'Beautifully clear. This generous vision takes a very complex art form and makes it all seem so simple. The whole book is a key. Unlocking the problems actors face as they try to accept another reality long enough to let the audience get a glimpse of the best our art can offer – a glimpse into themselves.' Adrian Lester
'Declan Donnellan's profound insight and point of departure is that great theatre, like a child's sandcastle, inhabits a vulnerable and ever-changing space between the safe and the dangerous. There is a whole lot of wisdom in this book – about tragedy, human psychology, words, dread and about how great acting really works – conveyed with remarkable clarity and simplicity. It's worth sharing with non-actor friends for its insights into Macbeth alone. Most of all, it's a distillation of hard-won lessons learned from decades of immersion in the mysteries of theatre by one of the great directors of our day.' James Shapiro, Shakespeare scholar and author of 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
- GenresTheatre
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2024
17 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 9, 2025
for class. first book of the year lmao i need to pick up the pace but it’s hard while abroad.
July 18, 2025
I honestly think that this book has changed my way of thinking about the relation of the actor between ur own identity and that of the person you are playing. And that is only one of the MANY things it has changed my perspective about. It’s like I finally have my glasses on for the first time in my life in the theory of theatre while still respecting that unknown, that illogicality of it all. That just mysterious thing what the essence of acting is, I cannot grasp it and no one is be able to. I can respect it and just see that it’s not to be understood rather to embrace?
This is definitely a must read for any actor/director, professional or amateur or student or teacher even. Because that is what it is. If you think you have grasped what acting is then you are so damn wrong. That’s what this book low-key told me, and you know what, Declan Donellan is fkn right about that one.
If you think you know what acting is, you fkn don’t. If you don’t know what acting is, you are more closer to the truth than an actor.
If your set in your way then honestly ur scene is dead, the life inside it is completely dead.
It’s a book everyone should read once in their lifetime. And now imma buy the prequel to this one because I didn’t know there was a first one.
This is definitely a must read for any actor/director, professional or amateur or student or teacher even. Because that is what it is. If you think you have grasped what acting is then you are so damn wrong. That’s what this book low-key told me, and you know what, Declan Donellan is fkn right about that one.
If you think you know what acting is, you fkn don’t. If you don’t know what acting is, you are more closer to the truth than an actor.
If your set in your way then honestly ur scene is dead, the life inside it is completely dead.
It’s a book everyone should read once in their lifetime. And now imma buy the prequel to this one because I didn’t know there was a first one.
October 23, 2025
The Actor and the Space is a compelling exploration of the dynamic relationship between performance and environment. The work deftly examines how physical and metaphorical spaces shape an actor’s presence, while simultaneously highlighting the ways an actor can transform a space through movement, gesture, and emotion. Just as one might consider the evolution of an artist over time—such as reflecting on Patricia Kaas âge the interplay between the performer and their surroundings evolves, creating moments that are strikingly immersive. The text (or performance) encourages readers and viewers to rethink traditional boundaries between stage and audience, actor and setting. Its nuanced insights into spatial awareness, timing, and expression make it not only an informative study but also a thought-provoking meditation on the art of performance itself.
December 2, 2024
A good expansion on Declan’s previous book. Would absolutely recommend it to any actor as a theoretically open and approachable book with original ideas and insights.
February 12, 2025
Just as good as The Actor and the Target - Incredible.
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March 22, 2025A good expansion on Declan’s previous book fr fr also check famous actor's net worth at https://sofacts.com/.
July 12, 2025
Great
January 4, 2025
Great expansion of the first book. Donnellan’s insights on Macbeth are particularly interesting.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews