--- product_id: 348785 title: "The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate" price: "NT$809" currency: TWD in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.tw/products/348785-the-empty-space-a-book-about-the-theatre-deadly-holy store_origin: TW region: Taiwan --- # Iconic stage insights Classic theatre wisdom Revolutionary performance guide The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate **Price:** NT$809 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🎭 Unlock the magic behind every unforgettable performance! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate - **How much does it cost?** NT$809 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tw](https://www.desertcart.tw/products/348785-the-empty-space-a-book-about-the-theatre-deadly-holy) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Highly Acclaimed:** Rated 4.5 stars by over 500 readers who swear by its transformative impact. - • **Invaluable for Creators:** Essential guide for directors and actors seeking fresh, boundary-breaking performances. - • **Timeless Theatre Mastery:** Dive into the visionary mind of Peter Brook, a 20th-century theatre legend. - • **Comprehensive Historical Scope:** Explore theatre’s evolution from Stanislavsky to 1960s Happenings in one volume. - • **Top-Ranked Stagecraft Resource:** Ranks #14 in Stagecraft books—trusted by professionals and enthusiasts alike. ## Overview The Empty Space by Peter Brook is a seminal theatre book that explores the art and evolution of stage performance, blending historical insights with practical guidance. Celebrated for its passion and originality, this used copy in good condition offers a must-have resource for theatre professionals and enthusiasts aiming to revolutionize their craft. ## Description A timeless classic on the art of theatre from the most influential stage director of the twentieth century. In this seminal and iconoclastic book, groundbreaking director and cofounder of the Royal Shakespeare Company Peter Brook draws on a life in love with the stage to explore the issues facing a theatrical performance. He describes important developments in theatre from the last century, as well as smaller scale events, from productions by Stanislavsky to the rise of Method Acting, from Brecht’s revolutionary alienation technique to the free form Happenings of the 1960s, and from the different styles of such great Shakespearean actors as John Gielgud and Paul Scofield to a joyous impromptu performance in the burnt-out shell of the Hamburg Opera just after the war. Along the way, Brook provides theatre-makers with an indispensable guide to creating exhilarating and fresh performances. Passionate, unconventional, and fascinating, The Empty Space shows how theatre defies rules, builds and shatters illusions, and creates lasting memories for its audiences. Review: Perhaps one of the most dangerous books you will ever read. So read it. - Be careful. This book could change your life. It changed mine. I read The Empty Space in 1974. I was so blown away by the ideas within this book, I quit my job, moved to a large metropolitan area, and ended up running a theater, directing plays in other theaters, then teaching theater for the next twenty years. What this book does is teach important lessons in creating and appreciating art. Upon rereading The Empty Space, I find some of the writing to be a bit pretentious, but on the whole, the lessons are solid. Whether exploring theater, literature, art, music, or any other creative endeavor, this books shows that experiencing an artistic event can and should be a transformative experience. What is particularly refreshing is it doesn't sugar-coat the arts. There is no formula or how-to instructions on creating good work. Risk is not only encouraged, it is necessary. Brook also shows how the arts can be manipulated to lull and pacify. The four essays/lectures on Deadly Theater, Holy Theater, Rough Theater, and Immediate Theater are as fresh to day as they were 40 years ago. Update - After 50 years, I reread this book. While the examples are somewhat outdated, and in retrospect - speaking as a 73 year old man rather than a 23 year old man, I can see how Brook has placed several qualifiers within the fabric of the text to offset his thoughts. It's a bit arrogant, and self-serving, and he tends to presume that audiences bear a curious responsibility to embrace what they are watching. Plus, he qualifies everything he writes with the phrase on page 140, saying, "this book is already moving out of date." He's right. The examples are dated, but so what? The essential truth comes through, as stated on page, 136. It's all about what remains. Beyond all the deadly, holy, rough, and immediate, what stays with you? For that, you are going to have to read The Empty Space. Review: Wonderful book, a must have for theatre makers - Phenomenal book. Life and worldview changing. A must have for anyone in theatre, especially directors and actors. A great commentary on the state of modern theatre which holds just as true in the 2020s as it did in Brook’s time. ## Features - Used Book in Good Condition ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #114,571 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #11 in Stagecraft (Books) #15 in Performing Arts History & Criticism #19 in Theater Direction & Production (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 541 Reviews | ## Images ![The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lcb6h20eL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perhaps one of the most dangerous books you will ever read. So read it. *by M***Y on April 21, 2014* Be careful. This book could change your life. It changed mine. I read The Empty Space in 1974. I was so blown away by the ideas within this book, I quit my job, moved to a large metropolitan area, and ended up running a theater, directing plays in other theaters, then teaching theater for the next twenty years. What this book does is teach important lessons in creating and appreciating art. Upon rereading The Empty Space, I find some of the writing to be a bit pretentious, but on the whole, the lessons are solid. Whether exploring theater, literature, art, music, or any other creative endeavor, this books shows that experiencing an artistic event can and should be a transformative experience. What is particularly refreshing is it doesn't sugar-coat the arts. There is no formula or how-to instructions on creating good work. Risk is not only encouraged, it is necessary. Brook also shows how the arts can be manipulated to lull and pacify. The four essays/lectures on Deadly Theater, Holy Theater, Rough Theater, and Immediate Theater are as fresh to day as they were 40 years ago. Update - After 50 years, I reread this book. While the examples are somewhat outdated, and in retrospect - speaking as a 73 year old man rather than a 23 year old man, I can see how Brook has placed several qualifiers within the fabric of the text to offset his thoughts. It's a bit arrogant, and self-serving, and he tends to presume that audiences bear a curious responsibility to embrace what they are watching. Plus, he qualifies everything he writes with the phrase on page 140, saying, "this book is already moving out of date." He's right. The examples are dated, but so what? The essential truth comes through, as stated on page, 136. It's all about what remains. Beyond all the deadly, holy, rough, and immediate, what stays with you? For that, you are going to have to read The Empty Space. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wonderful book, a must have for theatre makers *by R***I on January 20, 2025* Phenomenal book. Life and worldview changing. A must have for anyone in theatre, especially directors and actors. A great commentary on the state of modern theatre which holds just as true in the 2020s as it did in Brook’s time. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Challenging *by G***E on December 18, 2020* There was some damage on the physical book itself, which was a downer. However, despite being 52 years since its original publishing, The Empty Space identifies many challenging questions about the theatre that are still applicable today. It's a very contemplative piece that warrants occasional pause and process. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tw/products/348785-the-empty-space-a-book-about-the-theatre-deadly-holy](https://www.desertcart.tw/products/348785-the-empty-space-a-book-about-the-theatre-deadly-holy) --- *Product available on Desertcart Taiwan* *Store origin: TW* *Last updated: 2026-10-06*