Playback-Theater

by Jo Salas

»Dieses Buch beschreibt eine Form der Improvisation. Sie beruht auf Geschichten von mehr oder weniger alltäglichen Ereignissen, die bei einer Vorstellung erzählt werden – Träume, Erinnerungen, Phantasien, Tragödien und Farcen: Momentaufnahmen aus dem Leben wirklicher Menschen. Diese Improvisation ist leicht zugänglich und macht Spaß, sie findet in Theatern statt, aber auch außerhalb – tatsächlich funktioniert sie in jeder Umgebung. Ob von routinierten Schauspielern oder Anfängern praktiziert, das Playback-Theater würdigt die Erfahrung einzelner und die Beziehungen zwischen Menschen – durch ihre Geschichten.«

Genres: Nonfiction

214 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

I write fiction and nonfiction. My new novel Mrs. Lowe-Porter comes out in early 2024 from JackLeg Press. My short stories have been published in journals and anthologies. Some have won or been shortlisted for prizes. My novel Dancing with Diana was published in 2015 by Codhill Press. Nonfiction writing is mostly about Playback Theatre, a form of improv based on audience members' personal stories. More at josalas.com.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at just the right moment. I’d done about 2 months of rehearsal with a playback group and loved it. For someone with a small amount of experience, this book provides a quick background on philosophy, values, structure, ritual and opportunities associated with playback theater.

[Victoria Shyrchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the first paragraph I had a poem.
HAving read a book I want to play, play and play!

[ratherastory · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very hard to give a rating to what is meant to be half memoir, half factual description of what Playback Theatre is, without ever having experienced Playback Theatre myself. I found it a very interesting read, and am intrigued enough to try out the experience if the opportunity ever presents itself. The book was a clear and easy read, though a touch repetitive and the tone occasionally dry, in spite of the author's career in storytelling and theatre.

[Vadim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Плейбек театр -- театр импровизаций, в котором актеры слушают истории зрителей и немедленно их инсценируют. Книга "Improvising Real Life" -- краткое введение в принципы и техники работы таких театров, написанной одним из основателей этого направления. Автор убеждена, что не просто вся жизнь театр, а каждый человек -- сцена, на которой происходят драмы. Плейбек театр наделяет такие драмы достоинством произведения искусства, того, к чему стоит приглядываться.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accessible and practical welcome to Playback Theatre by one of the founding members of the original company.

[Semi-Academic Eric]

Listed in the Bibliography on Play from The Art of Play by Adam Blatner.

[Kari Barclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview to Playback. Doesn't necessarily elaborate on the ethical intricacies of Playback or provide a comprehensive theoretical framework.