Peter (Stephen Paul) Brook Quotes

A collection of quotes by Peter (Stephen Paul) Brook.

Peter (Stephen Paul) Brook is a renowned British theatre and film director, born on March 21, 1925. With a career spanning over seven decades, he has made notable contributions to both stage and screen. Brook rose to prominence for his innovative and influential productions, such as the groundbreaking "Marat/Sade" in 1964. Throughout his career, he has explored various theatrical forms and storytelling techniques, constantly pushing the boundaries of conventional theatre. His work is characterized by a deep understanding of human nature and a commitment to exploring the essence of the human condition. Brook's contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of theatre and film.

The actor searches vainly for the sound of a vanished tradit

The actor searches vainly for the sound of a vanished tradition, and critic and audience follow suit. We have lost all sense of ritual and ceremony -- whether it be connected with Christmas, birthdays or funerals -- but the words remain with us and old impulses stir in the marrow. We feel we should have rituals, we should do something about getting them and we blame the artists for not finding them for us. So the artist sometimes attempts to find new rituals with only his imagination as his source: he imitates the outer form of ceremonies, pagan or baroque, unfortunately adding his own trapping -- the result is rarely convincing. And after the years and years of weaker and waterier imitations we now find ourselves rejecting the very notion of a holy stage. It is not the fault of the holy that it has become a middle-class weapon to keep the children good.

Peter (Stephen Paul) Brook

We are aware that the conductor is not really making the mus

We are aware that the conductor is not really making the music, it is making him -- if he is relaxed, open and attuned, then the invisible will take possession of him; through him, it will reach us.

Peter (Stephen Paul) Brook

Many audiences all over the world will answer positively fro

Many audiences all over the world will answer positively from their own experience that they have seen the face of the invisible through an experience on the stage that transcended their experience in life. They will maintain that Oedipus or Berenice or Hamlet or The Three Sisters performed with beauty and with love fires the spirit and gives them a reminder that daily drabness is not necessarily all.

Peter (Stephen Paul) Brook