Conference of the Birds: The Story of Peter Brook in Africa

by John Heilpern

Conference of the Birds is John Heilpern's true story of an extraordinary journey. In December 1972, the director Peter Brook and an international troupe of actors (Helen Mirren and Yoshi Oida among them) left their Paris base to emerge again in the Sahara desert. It was the start of an 8,500-mile expedition through Africa without precedent in the history of theater. Brook was in search of a new beginning that has since been revealed in all his work--from Conference of the Birds and Carmen to The Mahabharata and beyond. At the heart of John Heilpern's brilliant account of the African experiment is a story that became a search for the miraculous.

Genres: Theatre, Memoir, Drama

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Aili · Rating 4 out of 5]

In trying to explain the book to my husband, I told him about Orghast, the torchlight production in a made-up language on the ruins of Persepolis. He made me repeat myself three times, and then asked how many of the people in the group were on mushrooms. Funny, when I learned about that in theater history class, it didn't seem that bizarre. But I was 19, and the world was different.

This is such a crazy book. I kept thinking either, "Everyone should read this!" or "Wow, this is some post-colonial yet still colonial weird pseudo mysticism." Every page, I couldn't decide if I loved it or should quit it. Just when I would be ready to put it down, a passage would come along that would rearrange my thinking (not just about the book, but ALL OF MY THINKING).

The parts that are good and insightful are excellent. Anyone who works with people in large groups, who pushes the boundaries on their art, and especially people who do touring theater, should totally read this. Push through the noble savage parts, because the group dynamics are so perceptively written and true--and also, what Brook is *trying to do* (although not always what he does) is so powerful, and in some cases well-articulated.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing journey with the most reluctant theatrical research team imaginable, according to biographer Heilpern they traveled across the Sahara and into some odd situations to learn nothing. Brook wisely guides his eager troupe, but each step forward seems to get them into more quicksand with Brook throwing the occasional insightful rope of his experience for Heilpern to grasp and wrestle with, yet still he remains detached from the others an only an "objective" journalist would. One case in particular, he gives Yoshi a lot of credit for motivating the cast and tying their experimental work to Japanese traditions, yet leaves him out of the epilogue summary, despite his continued presence on the carpet (and just recently in Snoresese's Silence).

[Andrea Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible and inspiring.

[Gerhardus Van Wilgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure..

[Magz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who went into this book thinking that it would be an insight of the making of “Conference of the Birds”, (CotB) was a little disappointing. Not that the book wasn’t interesting or intriguing, it was the fact that this CotB was more of the working of the build up.

Perhaps I would rate the book higher if not for the boggled down story that the narrator, Heilpern, took. I don’t need to know what supplies was brought or even the anecdotes that have nothing to do with the overall experience of the traveling theatre group. Yes they are interesting, but what do they add to the story other than filler?

But again it wasn’t all bad. It was interesting to see how Brook shaped and cultivated the traveling group through Africa. The exercises that were being done in order to practice for the many miniature plays that they perform.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A interesting insight into the devising process and there are some truly wonderful and wise moments throughout. Hard to get into, but a few chapters in I was swept into the story along with Brook and his crew.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny that, because there have been other books about him, Ted Hughes is listed as the top character in this book. In fact, he is a Godot-like figure who never shows up when expected, although he does send things through the mail, much as Godot sends a boy as a messenger. The book's epigraph comes from Godot, and it's appropriate, considering that so much, but so little, happens in this book, much like in Godot.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most influential books i've read

[Diana Stevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book illustrating that you don't have to leave home to find what you want.

[Dan]

Peter Brook leads his international acting troop in both inner and outer adventures as they explore Africa circa 1972.

Imagine improvisational theater a la Brook presented to traditional African tribes.
How will they interact? What will they learn about Africa or about themselves individually and as a community of experimental artists?

Stunning!