The virtue of dress rehearsals is that they are a free show for a select group of artists and friends read more

The virtue of dress rehearsals is that they are a free show for a select group of artists and friends of the author, and where for one unique evening the audience is almost expurgated of idiots.

My playground was the theatre. I'd sit and watch my mother pretend for a living. As a young girl, that's read more

My playground was the theatre. I'd sit and watch my mother pretend for a living. As a young girl, that's pretty seductive.

You can throw away the privilege of acting, but that would be such a shame. The tribe has elected you read more

You can throw away the privilege of acting, but that would be such a shame. The tribe has elected you to tell its story. You are the shaman/healer, that's what the storyteller is, and I think it's important for actors to appreciate that. Too often actors think it's all about them, when in reality it's all about the audience being able to recognize themselves in you. The more you pull away from the public, the less power you have on screen.

Theater is, of course, a reflection of life. Maybe we have to improve life before we can hope to improve read more

Theater is, of course, a reflection of life. Maybe we have to improve life before we can hope to improve theater.

The novel is more of a whisper, whereas the stage is a shout.

The novel is more of a whisper, whereas the stage is a shout.

We need a type of theatre which not only releases the feelings, insights and impulses possible within the particular historical read more

We need a type of theatre which not only releases the feelings, insights and impulses possible within the particular historical field of human relations in which the action takes place, but employs and encourages those thoughts and feelings which help transform the field itself.

I submit all my plays to the National Theatre for rejection. To assure myself I am seeing clearly.

I submit all my plays to the National Theatre for rejection. To assure myself I am seeing clearly.

In the theater the audience wants to be surprised but by things that they expect

In the theater the audience wants to be surprised but by things that they expect

All of the arts, poetry, music, ritual, the visible arts, the theater, must singly and together create the most comprehensive read more

All of the arts, poetry, music, ritual, the visible arts, the theater, must singly and together create the most comprehensive art of all, a humanized society, and its masterpiece, free man