Games for Actors and Non-Actors

The French edition of Jeux pour Acteurs et Non-Acteurs published in 1982 is currently in its seventh edition. For this first translation into English Boal has added new examples and fresh ideas to make it the most up-to-date introduction to the techniques of Image Theatre and Forum Theatre available. Boal's early work took place under the military regime in Brazil. During a period of exile in Portugal, France, Sweden, Germany, and the US he developed work on combating oppression through theatre. His methods transform theatre from a hierarchical structure where actors are active and audiences passive, to a democratic arena where the spectator becomes the `spectactor', contributing ideas, taking over roles, and using theatre to confront everyday problems, such as sexual harassment, poor pay, homophobia, and racism and find ways of fighting them. Games for Actors and Non-Actors is a handbook of methods, techniques, games, and exercises designed to help anyone - whether actor or non-actor - rehearse for real life: make the fictional real. Read more