New Sites For Shakespeare: Theatre, the Audience, and Asia

In the course of exploring the theatrical cultures of South and East Asia, eminent Shakespearean John Russell Brown developed some remarkable theories about the nature of performance, the state of Western "Theatre" today, and the future potential of Shakespeare's plays.New Sites for Shakespeareshares these extraordinary journeys of discoveries. New Sites for Shakespeareargues that an audience's understanding of Shakespeare is limited by the kinds of theatre it has seen. On repeated visits to Asia, John Russell Brown sought out forms of performances which were new to him, and found that he gained a fresh and exciting view of the theatre for which Shakespeare wrote. In this fascinating and illuminating account, Russell Brown gives close attention to particular theatre productions and performances in Japan, Korea, China, Bali and especially India. The book examines staging, acting, improvisation, ceremonies and ritual, and demonstrates that the reaction of audiences and theirinteraction with actors are crucial factors in these theatrical experiences. Bringing to bear his background as theatre director, critic and scholar, Brown considers current productions in Europe and North America with fresh insights from his experience with Asian theatre. Ultimately, Brown sounds a passionate call for radical change in how we stage, study and read Shakespeares plays today. NewSites for Shakespearereflects Brown's passionate belief in the power of theatre to reach mass audiences. It is a book which cannot be ignored by anyone who cares about the live performing arts today.