{"product_id":"theatre-of-movement-and-gesture-foundational-lecoq-study","title":"Theatre of Movement and Gesture - Foundational Lecoq Study","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Theatre of Movement and Gesture, the reviewer finds a thoughtful, historically grounded book best suited to serious students and practitioners of physical theatre. Published in France in 1987, this volume represents Jacques Lecoq's first full statement of his philosophy of human movement and the expressive principles that underpin mime and physical performance. The book is valuable because it combines Lecoq's theoretical framework with interviews and complementary essays that place his ideas in a wider twentieth-century context, making it a key reference rather than a light how-to manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoundational theory:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lecoq sets out a coherent philosophy of human movement that helps readers understand the principles driving expressive physical performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text traces pantomime history and situates modern physical theatre developments within a broader timeline, which benefits researchers and teachers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical components:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lecoq defines components of mime and gesture in concrete terms that can inform rehearsal and classroom work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterviews with practitioners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Conversations with Ariane Mnouchkine and Jean-Louis Barrault add first-hand perspectives that illuminate practical applications of Lecoq's ideas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplementary essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters by Jean Perret on Etienne Decroux and Marcel Marceau expand the historical and technical background for students of pantomime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary survey:\u003c\/strong\u003e A final section by Alain Gautre highlights the explosion of physical theatre practitioners in the 1980s, useful for understanding the movement's trajectory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is ideal for theatre students, movement coaches, and professional actors who want a rigorous, historical and theoretical grounding in physical theatre. It will be especially useful in academic settings or as a reference alongside practical training at movement schools.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a beginner's step-by-step workbook or quick exercises to learn mime from scratch may find the tone more essayistic and discursive than hands-on; those readers should look for practice-focused manuals instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive articulation of Lecoq's movement philosophy that informs long-term practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical and interview material gives broader context and multiple practitioner viewpoints.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContributions by Perret and Gautre enrich the book with authoritative background on Decroux, Marceau, and 1980s physical theatre.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe text is more theoretical than a practical exercise manual, so immediate classroom drills are limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheatre of Movement and Gesture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor(s)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJacques Lecoq, Joel Anderson, D Bradby, Luke Kernaghan, DICK MCCAW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication country\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrance (original publication 1987)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilosophy of human movement, pantomime history, physical theatre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterviews, historical chapters, practitioner survey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNotable contributors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJean Perret, Alain Gautre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheatre of Movement and Gesture is a valuable, well-rounded resource for those pursuing serious study or teaching in physical theatre. Its mixture of Lecoq's theory, historical essays and practitioner interviews delivers strong context and lasting insight, making it worthwhile for professionals and students despite limited hands-on exercises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book practical for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book provides theoretical frameworks and historical context that inform classroom practice, but it contains fewer step-by-step exercises than a dedicated workbook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover the history of mime?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; Lecoq traces pantomime history and the book includes chapters by Jean Perret on key figures like Etienne Decroux and Marcel Marceau.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre interviews included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; interviews with Ariane Mnouchkine and Jean-Louis Barrault are part of the volume, adding practitioner perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jacques Lecoq, Joel Anderson, D Bradby, Luke Kernaghan, DICK MCCAW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48780066914523,"sku":"0415359430","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/519rieC7QqL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778989603","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/theatre-of-movement-and-gesture-foundational-lecoq-study","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}