Stanislavski: A Biography

by Jean Benedetti

'A small jewel of a book, a knowleageable introduction to both
Stanislavski's personal development and to the content and range of his
writings' Theatre Journal
'â ¦shows the System to be a practical process - drama school students and actors will be grateful for it' Times Eductational Supplement
'A carefully documented study of peak interest and value to every serious student of acting theory' Choice
The Stanislavski 'system' is still the only comprehensive method of
actor training we possess. His theories can be hard to grasp and many
academic books are impenetrable on the subject. This is a concise book
for students that presents a readable introduction to the life and work
of Stanislavski. It shows the slow growth of the 'system', from its
roots in the tradition of Russian realism, to the various phases it
went through until the final emergence of the Method of Physical Action
in the years before his death. It also provides a short account of the
writing, publication and translation of Stanislavski's books on acting.
In this edition, Jean Benedetti makes several important updates in
the light of new material and new translations becoming available.

Genres: Theatre, Biography, Theory, Nonfiction

370 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1988

Reviews

[Gracesoup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow read this book today for my assignment i want to cry

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Honestly, I need to buy it. Stanislavsky's method is outlined absolutely clearly.

I owe a great debt to Jean Benedetti. He has just saved my Drama assignment and my acting techniques in one go.

[Feliks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite different from what I have encountered of the great Slav's other famous writings in his other works, and different from what you will probably find in any excerpts, references, or anthologies. This is not prose, not preachy, not autobiography. It is not dizzy or obscurantist, dense, nor mystifying or mythological. It is free of all theory and ponderings. Refreshingly, what it is instead, is a simple and clearly-laid out "instruction book" of actor's exercises. A training book. Specific steps, numbered and bullet-point outlines. Real-world techniques to hone actor's discipline. I recommend it for its clean and clutter-free presentation of ideas.

[☾✦Margaret Rolfe✦☽ (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite tricky to understand ngl

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't assault the subconscious, our deepest feelings have to be lured, enticed, not forced. Rehearsal is not group therapy. Acting is not analysis."

[Krista]

Was reading backstage during the run of a show. Interesting, but didn't finish before the show was over (it belonged to the theatre), and I don't know that I'm interested enough to check out of the library.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite must read to anyone thinking of taking acting.