Devising Theatre with Stan's Cafe

Description

Since it was founded in 1991, British theatre company Stan's Cafe has garnered an international reputation for artistic innovation, and prolific, eclectic performance projects. Their work has toured nationally and internationally, with 2003's Of All The People In All The World having been performed in over fifty cities around the world. Embracing site-specific, immersive, durational, non-text-based as well as scripted work, Stan's Cafe's portfolio defies simple categorization. Running through all their work however is a collaborative devising process that champions a playful experimentation with form. Devising Theatre with Stan's Cafe reveals and reflects on their theatre-making process, providing an illuminating and accessible account of their work and the approaches, techniques and philosophies which underpin and inspire it. Co-authored by artistic director James Yarker and Dr Mark Crossley, the book is places their work within wider context of contemporary theatre and is the perfect companion to anyone looking to make their own original theatre or performance work. For theatre students, fans and theatre-makers, Devising Theatre with Stan's Cafe is an inspiring account and practical guide to contemporary performance practice.

Dr. Mark Crossley is a Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. He specializes in contemporary intermedial practice and the relationship between professional theatre practice and arts pedagogy. He has written many articles on this subject that have been published in the UK as well as internationally. James Yarker co-founded the theatre company Stan's Cafe in Birmingham, UK, in 1991. Since that time he has conceived and directed all of the company's major productions.

An in-depth consideration of the practices of UK devised theatre company Stan's Cafe ... Crossley's scholarly voice frames and contextualizes the company's work ... provides insightful descriptions of process, reflections on the performances and practical suggestions for devising starting points. * New Theatre Quarterly *