Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Truly excellent, both to read and for it's insights October 24, 2008
This is an excellent, concise and insightful book that gave me a whole new view of human interaction. Just that alone has allowed me to see through my own daily interactions with friends and colleagues. The first chapter that discusses status will have you hooked for the remainder of the book. You'll read it twice, in the first week or two I suspect. Well worth your time!
Human interaction masterclass for everyone, not just improvisers June 4, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Keith Johnstone is a visionary in the field of improvisation theatre. His concepts of status hierarchies are ground-breaking. They show that humans, like animals, are at ease with each other when the underlying status hierarchy is understood and undisputed.
However, all kinds of interesting tensions are created when the status hierarchy IS disputed. For actors, this concept from Keith's book is golden:
1)If you want to be seen as a natural performer, you need to know your status in relation to the other humans, and even things around you.
2)If you want to create interesting drama, you and your co-actors need to manipulate your statuses in interesting ways. These dynamic movements and challenges are interesting and funny for the audience.
Keith describes this and much, much more in his fascinating book. The generous use of actual improvisation situations makes the book very hands-on, funny and analytical.
Impro also expands from improvisation acting to such areas as creative writing, teaching and mask and trance work. Even the bits one does not agree with are superbly constructed and offer an insightful view on the sometimes weird and wonderful world of creative minds at work.
The improvisation actors in such shows as "Whose line is it anyway?" or London's Comedy Store borrow many of their techniques from Keith.
This book is one to read, whether you are an actor, spectator or just plain interested in smooth, congruent human interactions. Pure genius.
More than just a book for actors September 12, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm an actor but this book is a useful life-guide for anyone who needs a fresh approach. My well-thumbed volume used to accompany me on my travels and also helped me in interviews for regular jobs. It helps you to look at the world as the sublimely absurd place it truly is and helps all who read it to confirm that they are, in fact, not quite as sane as you thought.
Excellent book, recommend it for everyone July 23, 2006
If yo are interested in theatre and creative process, YOU MUST GET IT. Never read anything as interesting by far. Johnstone explains everything clearly and you get amazed when you play out the games he proposes.
Highly recemmended.
Fabulous October 12, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Of all the drama theory books I have read, this was certainly the most enjoyable. I found myself reading it as though it were a fictional storybook, thoroughy enjoying every word. Johnstone completely changes your perspective on imagination and being 'creative' or 'uncreative'. the best bit about it is that half of what he explains you kid of realise you knew all along, but were never aware of it, like 'cencoring' the first idea to ocme into our head. Impro has certainly helped me with my Theatre Studies Degree course! a must have for anyone who finds the imagination fasscinating.
|
