“I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks across this empty space whilst someone is watching him, and this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged.” – Peter Brooks, The Empty Space.

Happy Birthday Peter Brook, the man that turned theatre on it’s head: broke every rule, directed actors with minimal set, and who let’s the audience (imagination) come to their own conclusions. My hero, who believes in simplicity and truth. Brook’s work spans 8 decades and is one of the most influential (and my favourite) stage director’s alive. He has travelled the world to find stories that belong on the stage, stating that theatre is always evolving. His last work was called ‘The Suit’ by Can Themba, a story of adultery and revenge based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Brook’s advice is to “Never ask yourself what you have learned…only ask yourself what are the circumstances which are different from last year.” Bravo. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.