Laban's Efforts in Action ― A Movement Handbook for Actors With Online Video Resources

Theatre-makers are increasingly looking to ways of actor training which facilitate the creation of embodied and physically-ambitious performance. Rudolf Laban's system of Movement Analysis is widespread in actor training, yet his Efforts of Action Drive which provide understanding of movement (strength, timing and control) in terms of inner intention, have not until now been specifically documented in a practical, focused and detailed way for the actor – despite their constant use in the rehearsal room and classroom.

Following years of research, this new text now makes the process widely available and accessible to the actor. Written using experience-based examples, it offers a greater depth of coverage than any other text and a new creative process for the actor with practical exercises, video examples, case studies and theoretical background.

Laban's Efforts in Action is accessible not just to those interested in performance based work but to anyone interested in human movement and behavioral studies.

Vanessa Ewan is Senior Lecturer on the three-year acting course and Co-Course Leader of the MA in Movement: Directing and Teaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK.

Kate Sagovsky works as a theatre practitioner, specialising in movement-based work and cross-art-form performance, and is the artistic director of Moving Dust theatre company.