THE LIFE OF JACQUES COPEAU
The formative years
The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier (1913–1917)
The Vieux-Colombier in New York (1917–1919)
The Company returns and the School re-opens (1919–1924)
The retreat to Burgundy – Les Copiaus (1924–1929)
Popular theatre, the Comédie-Française, and sacred drama (1929–1949)
Le Patron
COPEAU’S KEY WRITINGS AND IDEAS
The rejuvenation of the theatre
The education of the creative actor
Popular forms of theatre: ancient, modern and sacred
COPEAU’S IDEAS IN PRODUCTION: LES FOURBERIES DE SCAPIN
Les Fourberies de Scapin (The Tricks of Scapin) by Molière
The play: a synopsis of the plot
Why did Copeau choose this play?
Staging
Rehearsing and acting: the actor’s approach to
Les Fourberies de Scapin
A different kind of realism
Symbolism and Scapin
Framing the event
Critical reaction
Where next: a new commedia?
ACROBATS OF THE SOUL: PRACTICAL EXERCISE FOR THE ACTOR
Educating the actor: the context
Before beginning
Physical preparation
Improvisation
Mask-work
The chorus
The journey’s end
COPEAU’S LEGACY
Biography
Mark Evans is Professor of Theatre Training and Education, at Coventry University.
