A World Elsewhere is Steven Berkoff’s bold attempt to describe his multifarious theatrical works.
Berkoff outlines the methods that he uses, first of all as an actor, secondly as a playwright and thirdly as theatre director, as well as those subtle connections in between, when one discipline melds effortlessly into another. He examines the early impulses that generated his works and what drove him to give them form, as well as the challenges he faced when adapting the work of other authors. Berkoff discusses some of his most difficult, successful and unique creations, journeying through his long and varied career to examine how they were shaped by him, and how he was shaped by them. The sheer scale of this book offers a rare experience of an accomplished artist, combined with the honesty and insight of an autobiography, making this text a singular tool for teaching, inspiration and personal exploration.
Suitable for anyone with an interest in Steven Berkoff and his illustrious career, A World Elsewhere is the part analysis and part confession of an artist whose work has been performed all over the world.
Biography Preface 1. In the Penal Colony - The Arts Lab, Drury Lane 1967 2. Metamorphosis - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1969 3. Macbeth - The Place Theatre 1970 4. Miss Julie Versus Expressionism – National Tour and The ICA 1971 5. Agamemnon - National Tour - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1973 6. The Trial, by Franz Kafka - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1973 7. The Fall of The House of Usher - Hampstead Theatre Club 1974 8. Random thought: the dressing room 9. East - Kings Head Theatre, Islington - 1975 Regent Street Poly - Cottesloe Theatre 1977 10. Hamlet, Shakespeare - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1980 11. Decadence - Arts Theatre 1981 12. Random thought: Vsevolod Meyerhold 13. West - Donmar Warehouse 1983 14. Harry’s Xmas - Donmar Warehouse 1985 15. Acapulco - The King’s Head Theatre, Islington 1986 16. Coriolanus - Public Theatre, New York 1988 17. Random thought – directors and indendants 18. Greek - Wyndham’s Theatre 1988 19. Salome - National Theatre 1989 20. One Man - The Garrick Theatre 1991 21. Kvetch - The Garrick Theatre 1991 22. Random thought: a lunch in Brooklyn with the Salome cast 23. Brighton Beach Scumbags - The Riverside Theatre, Hammersmith 1995 24. Random thought - mechanicals 25. Massage - Odyssey Theatre, Edinburgh Festival 1997 26. Decadence - Wyndhams Theatre 1997 27. Shakespeare’s Villains - Theatre Royal, Haymarket 1998 28. Random thought: one-man show 29. The Secret Love Life of Ophelia - The King’s Head Theatre 2001 30. Messiah - Edinburgh Festival 2002 - Old Vic 2003 31. Sit and Shiver - Hackney Empire 2007 32. Random thought: Salome at The Gate Theatre, Dublin 33. On The Waterfront - Theatre Royal, Haymarket 2010 34. Oedipus - Edinburgh Festival 2013 35. The Hairy Ape -The Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles 2015 36. Actors I have admired, loved and even cried over 37. Final chapter Index
Biography
Steven Berkoff is a renowned playwright, director, actor, photographer and author.
