From An Actor Adrift

Abstract

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Yoshi Oida's new book, An Actor Adrift, written with Lorna Marshall and published by Methuen (London: ? 1992), with a preface by Peter Brook. (A Japanese version was published as well.) It is the first time that ATJ has published such an excerpt, which we believe is an excellent way to introduce our readers to important material in the most immediate way. Oida is a Japanese actor who, over two decades ago, joined British director Peter Brook's international company in Paris. His book describes, often from a very personal perspective, his experience working on various Brook projects, including The Mahabharata, while trying to retain and enhance his native artistic roots. Eventually, Oida created a half dozen of his own theatre pieces, most of which were seen internationally. An Actor Adrift is a valuable contribution because Oida's career so explicitly represents the problems of interculturalism.