Content
Acknowledgement
Introduction
Anthony Neilson: An Overview
Introducing the Narrative Rehearsals
Methodology
Book Structure
Part 1: Neilsons Authorial Process
Part Introduction
Chapter 1: Neilsons Authorial Process and the Actors Input
Case Study 1: Neilson as Author, Blackmail and Murder, and the Authorial Trope of Sound to Portray Psychological Liminality
Case Study 2: The Actors Indirect Input into Neilsons Convoluted Jigsaw
Case Study 3: Olly Rix, Shakespeare and Superheroes: The Actors Direct Input
Conclusion
Chapter 2: The Footmouse Dance: The Actors Input into Authorial Tropes and Neilsons Ad-Hoc Approach to Authorship
Whats in a Name?: The Naming of Characters as an Authorial Trope in Neilsons Work
Zawe Ashton and the Cancelled Magazine Subscription: The Actors Direct Input Reconsidered
"Footmouse! Brilliant!": Humiliation as an Authorial Trope in Neilsons Work
Chance and the Arbitrary: Neilsons Magpie Approach to Authorship
Conclusion
Part 2: Neilsons Process and Improvisation
Part Introduction
Chapter 3: Improvisation and Characterisation
Box Therapy: Uncertain Beginnings with Random Objects
Improvisation and Characterisation via Stanislavskian Principles
Instinct
Mask Work
The Relationship Between Actor and Director: Unproductive Aspects
The Relationship Between Actor and Director: Productive Aspects
Conclusion
Chapter 4: The Human Soundscape: Improvisation, Rules and Failure
Uncertain Beginnings with an Absence of Rules
Humour, Rules and Challenging Leadership
Corpsing
Failure as Failure
Play and Catharsis: Therapy for the Box Therapy
Conclusion
Part 3: Directing Actors
Part Introduction
Chapter 5: Neilson the Unsafe Director
Directing and Power: Neilsons Egalitarian Approach
Directing and Power: Neilsons Not Quite So Egalitarian Approach
Power and Communication
Ask the Audience: The Suggestion of Audience Participation and its Rejection
Ask the Audience: Not Neilsons Way or the High Way
What Did You Expect: Neilson Directs the Ending
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Neilson and the Actors Process
The Stanislavskian Actors Process
Actors Heterogeneity
Case Study 1: Neilsons Motivational Speech
The Actors Process, Emotional Labour and the Reality of Working Conditions
Case Study 2: Press Night
The Importance of Timing for the Actors Process
Actors Coping Strategies
Conclusion
Book Conclusion
Index
