Over the last forty years, French director Ariane Mnouchkine and her theater collective, Le Theatre du Soleil, have devised a form of research and creation that is both engaged with contemporary history and committed to reinvigorating theater by focusing on the actor. Now revised and reissued, this volume combines: a an overview of Mnouchkine's life, work and theatrical influences a an exploration of her key ideas on theater and the creative process a analysis of key productions, including her early and groundbreaking environmental political piece, 1789, and the later Asian-inspired play penned by Helene Cixous, Drums on the Dam. a practical exercises, including tips on mask work. As a first step toward critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners are unbeatable value for today's student.