Like all of Laban’s writings, Mastery of Movement has a text and a subtext. Explicitly, the text explores how to use bodily actions and effort rhythms to convey characters and situations on stage. Implicitly, the book is about much more.
As Irmgard Bartenieff lamented, “We have no major publication that summarizes Laban’s insights into one philosophical-theoretical statement.” But Mastery of Movement provides glimpses, not only of Laban’s movement theories, but also of his philosophy.
For example, Laban discusses the differences between virtuosity of movement performance and artistry in several chapters. He touches on the moral purposes of theatre, emphasizing the relationship of movement, values, and the “tragi-comedy” of human life.
We may not agree with Laban’s views, but his comments stimulate us to think more deeply about physical actions and what they convey – both on and off stage.
Exercise your body-mind in the upcoming MoveScape Center course, “Mastering Rudolf Laban’s Mastery of Movement.”