ABSTRACT
The many pieces of writing Michael Chekhov left behind him serve as a great guide to all who follow his technique today. Apart from his published books we are fortunate to have a recording of his lectures given to students of his technique in 1955 in New York City and published by Applause in 1992 under the title On the Theatre and the Art of Acting: The Six-Hour Master Class edited by Mala Powers. Hearing Chekhov’s technique transmitted in his own voice adds a dimension other than cognition to the teachings. It is the closest facsimile we have to hearing him speak today. Chekhov’s teaching voice is very tender and he is never rushed. He often intersperses more serious ideas with humor. The “how” of his teaching is congruent with the “what” of it. In this four-part recording Chekhov discusses the main ideas of his approach in a very simple and clear way. As always he displays his uncanny ability for categorization. The fourth part contains a lecture on how to accelerate an actor’s development
through a deeper understanding of his method. For this he suggests keeping in mind the following five guiding principles while practicing his method:
1 Psycho-physical exercises – training the actor’s body (bodily development by psychological means).
