Stanislavski in Rehearsal

Book excerpt: In this fascinating book one sees Stanislavski's constant revision, his continuing search for more and more helpful ways to assist actors in creating their roles until the very end of his long, fruitful life. Here is a description of the work of his last years, written by one of the outstanding actors of his time, Vasily Osipovich Toporkov. One of Stanislavski's favorite actors, Toporkov was invited by him to participate in the experiments that form the basis of this book. It provides the clearest description of his famous "method of physical actions" from an insider trained by the master himself.