ABSTRACT

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.

chapter 1|6 pages

In the Penal Colony

The Arts Lab, Drury Lane 1967

chapter 2|6 pages

Metamorphosis

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1969

chapter 3|7 pages

Macbeth

The Place Theatre 1970

chapter 4|4 pages

Miss Julie versus expressionism

National tour and the ICA 1971

chapter 5|10 pages

Agamemnon

National tour and The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1973

chapter 6|7 pages

The Trial, by Franz Kafka

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1973

chapter 7|7 pages

The Fall of the House of Usher

Hampstead Theatre Club 1974

chapter 8|2 pages

Random thought The dressing room

chapter 9|8 pages

East

The Kings Head Theatre, Islington 1975, Regent Street Poly and the Cottesloe Theatre 1977

chapter 10|9 pages

Hamlet, Shakespeare

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm 1980

chapter 11|6 pages

Decadence

chapter 12|2 pages

Random thoughtVsevolod Meyerhold

chapter 13|5 pages

West

Donmar Warehouse 1983

chapter 14|2 pages

Harry’s Xmas

Donmar Warehouse 1985

chapter 15|3 pages

Acapulco

The King’s Head Theatre, Islington 1986

chapter 16|6 pages

Coriolanus

The Public Theater, New York 1988

chapter 17|2 pages

Random thoughtDirectors and intendants

chapter 18|6 pages

Greek

Wyndham’s Theatre 1988

chapter 19|5 pages

Salome

The National Theatre 1989

chapter 20|5 pages

One Man

The Garrick Theatre 1991

chapter 21|4 pages

Kvetch

The Garrick Theatre 1991

chapter 23|3 pages

Brighton Beach Scumbags

Riverside Studios, Hammersmith 1995

chapter 24|2 pages

Random thoughtMechanicals

chapter 25|5 pages

Massage

The Odyssey Theatre, Edinburgh Festival 1997

chapter 26|23 pages

Decadence

Wyndham’s Theatre 1997

chapter 27|8 pages

Shakespeare’s Villains

Theatre Royal, Haymarket 1998

chapter 28|2 pages

Random thoughtOne-man show

chapter 29|3 pages

The Secret Love Life of Ophelia

The King’s Head Theatre 2001

chapter 30|5 pages

Messiah

Edinburgh Festival 2002 and The Old Vic 2003

chapter 31|3 pages

Sit and Shiver

Hackney Empire 2007

chapter 33|6 pages

On the Waterfront

Theatre Royal, Haymarket 2010

chapter 34|5 pages

Oedipus

Edinburgh Festival 2013

chapter 35|6 pages

The Hairy Ape

The Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles 2015

chapter 37|10 pages

Final chapter