The Routledge Performance Archive is a developing resource produced in partnership with Digital Theatre, providing unique access to an unprecedented range of audio-visual material from past and present practitioners of performance. This ground-breaking and constantly growing online collection delivers essential resources direct to the classroom, lecture theatre and library. The video material spans more than fifty years of documented work direct from renowned practitioners and specialists, and ranges across the entire spectrum of theatre topics.
Practitioners
Browse the Archive through our list of practitioners, ranging from legendary figures to contemporary pioneers. Trace connections between individuals and entire movements, via specially commissioned biographies and peer-reviewed cross-referencing. All biographical information and video descriptions come direct from the practitioners themselves, unless otherwise stated.
Subjects
Explore content thematically through our carefully structured taxonomy, and reflect on fascinating new relationships between concept and content. All entries have been taken from Paul Allain’s and Jen Harvie’s Routledge Companion to Theatre and Performance (Routledge: London, 2006), and are edited by Maggie B. Gale, unless otherwise indicated.
Form & Genre
Form and genre are terms that are often used interchangeably. Whilst form is more often about structure, and genre is more to do with typology, forms and genres of theatre and performance vary.
Chekhov, Michael
Michael Chekhov (1891–1955) developed a creative and imaginative approach to acting that continues to inspire actors around the world.
Psychophysical Acting
As part of his research into the nature and processes of acting, Stanislavsky was the first to use the term “psychophysical” to acting focussed equally on the actor’s psychology and physicality.
Stanislavsky, Konstantin
With his insights into acting and directing, Konstantin Stanislavsky forged a definitive position in the development of twentieth-century theatre, laying the groundwork for many innovators.
Applied Theatre
Applied theatre is an umbrella term that tries to capture a diverse number of theatre practices that engage communities outside of professional and institutional theatre contexts.
Tandon, Rekha
Rekha Tandon is a performer, choreographer and researcher working in Odissi, one of the eight classical dance forms of India. She is the Artistic Director of Dance Routes.
Dowling, Niamh
Niamh Dowling works internationally as a movement specialist. She has trained with Monika Pagneux and as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, and collaborates closely with Teatr Piesn Kozla.
Pearson, Mike / Brith Gof
Mike Pearson is Professor of Performance Studies and Leverhulme Research Fellow, Dept. of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Aberystwyth University. Director: Brith Gof Theatre Company, 1981-97.
Feminism, Theatre & Performance
Throughout the twentieth century, feminist performance has interrogated the ways women’s conventional representation is often derogatory, or exploitative, reproducing scenes of female disempowerment.
Physical Comedy
Physical comedy prioritises the body as a signifier in performance. It often requires a level of performer training that focuses on gymnastic ability as well as comic skills.
Protests, Demonstrations & Parades
These are forms of mass group events or performances that generally take place in public spaces in order to influence public opinion by occupying and exploiting the power of those sites.
Rasmussen, Iben Nagel
Iben Nagel Rasmussen is an actor, director, teacher and writer born in Denmark. She has been a member of Odin Teatret since 1966, and conducts independent research as leader of ‘The Bridge of Winds’.
Movement & Body Work
We identify performance as the movement of bodies in space through time – whether this passage is slow, aims at stillness, or is based on familiar repertoires of daily gestures or means of locomotion.