The art of the actor : the essential history of acting, from classical times to the present day /

A more accurate title for this book would have been "Theories of the Art of the Western Actor: From Classical Times to the 1960s." Either way, the book is useful. The translations from primary sources, many by Benedetti, bring clarity to issues often encountered secondhand in history and acting texts--and in a book of theory such as this, the clarity of the writing is welcome. Benedetti explores the many historic variations on the question of the emotional commitment by actors in performance. He addresses and, to a degree, resolves the apparent theoretic contradictions between German director Bertolt Brecht's epic theater and Russian director Konstantin Stanislavski's system. As the author of a number of books on Stanislavski, the author is well qualified to do this. Although no theories of acting have come to prominence since those promulgated by Polish director Jerzy Grotowski, the integration of acting with dance, gymnastics, and circus skills is a significant current move in theater that could bear theoretic analysis. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers, all levels. R. Sugarman emeritus, Southern Vermont College