Yoshi Oida is completely unique. A Japanese actor and director who has worked mainly in the West as a member of Peter Brook's theatre company in Paris, he blends the oriental tradition of supreme and studied control with the Western performer's need to characterise and expose depths of emotion. In this practical and captivating study of the actor's art written with Lorna Marshall, Yoshi Oida explains that once the audience becomes openly aware of the actor's method and becomes too conscious of the actor's artistry, the wonder of performance dies. The audience must never see the actor but only his or her performance. Throughout Lorna Marshall provides a running commentary on Yoshi Oida's work and methods which help you understand the achievement of this singular theatrical artist.

Lorna Marshall teaches physical acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and works internationally as a director and performance consultant in opera, circus and theatre. Her previous books include The Body Speaks and An Actor Adrift (also with Yoshi Oida). Yoshi Oida, a Japanese actor and director, has worked mainly in the West as a member of Peter Brook's theatre company in Paris where he became a leading member and trainer. His books include An Actor Adrift and The Invisible Actor.