Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or commercial duplication without written
permission from Erick Mukiira is prohibited. Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
PETER BROOK: TRANSFORMING STAGE SPACE
Comprehensive Class Notes for Teachers & Students
Theatre Arts Resource Material
Developed by Erick Mukiira
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or
26
commercial duplication without written permission from Erick Mukiira is
prohibited.
20
a
iir
1. INTRODUCTION
uk
Peter Brook remains one of the most revolutionary theatre directors in world
M
theatre history. He transformed how actors, directors, designers, and
audiences understand performance space.
k
ic
Before Brook:
Er
● Theatre heavily relied on expensive scenery
● Proscenium stages dominated performance
©
● Realism was highly prioritized
● Theatre often became rigid and predictable
ht
After Brook:
ig
yr
● Empty spaces became performance venues
● Minimalist staging became respected
op
● Actor centered theatre grew
● Experimental theatre expanded globally
C
Brook challenged one major question:
What is the minimum requirement needed for theatre to exist?
His answer changed theatre forever:
“I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks
across this empty space whilst someone else is watching him, and
this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged.”
— Peter Brook, The Empty Space (1968)
,Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or commercial duplication without written
permission from Erick Mukiira is prohibited. Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
2. LIFE HISTORY OF PETER BROOK
Full Name: Peter Stephen Paul Brook
Born: March 21, 1925, London, England
Died: July 2, 2022, Paris, France
Early Career
● Directed his first production at age 17
● Worked in Birmingham Repertory Theatre
26
● Worked at Royal Opera House
● Became famous through Royal Shakespeare Company
20
Major Career Milestones
a
iir
Royal Shakespeare Company
Directed:
uk
M
● Hamlet (1955)
● King Lear (1962)
k
● Marat/Sade (1964)
ic
● A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1970)
Er
International Centre for Theatre Research (1971)
©
Founded in Paris with Micheline Rozan.
ht
Purpose:
ig
● Explore global theatre traditions
yr
● Remove unnecessary theatrical excess
op
● Research actor-audience relationships
C
Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord (1974)
Brook transformed this abandoned Paris theatre into one of the world’s most
important experimental performance spaces.
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
3. FAMOUS PHRASES BY PETER BROOK
Quote 1
“I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage.”
, Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or commercial duplication without written
permission from Erick Mukiira is prohibited. Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
Meaning:
Theatre can happen anywhere.
Quote 2
“Theatre is a living experience.”
Meaning:
Performance must feel alive.
Quote 3
“Hold on tightly, let go lightly.”
26
Meaning:
20
Artists should commit deeply but remain flexible.
a
Quote 4
iir
“A play is play.”
uk
Meaning:
M
Theatre must preserve creativity and experimentation.
k
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
ic
Er
4. PETER BROOK'S MAJOR THEORIES
©
A. THE EMPTY SPACE THEORY
ht
From his book The Empty Space (1968)
ig
Brook argued theatre only needs:
yr
op
● Actor
● Audience
C
● Space
● Action
It does NOT always need:
● Large sets
● Expensive costumes
● Elaborate lighting
● Realistic scenery
Example:
permission from Erick Mukiira is prohibited. Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
PETER BROOK: TRANSFORMING STAGE SPACE
Comprehensive Class Notes for Teachers & Students
Theatre Arts Resource Material
Developed by Erick Mukiira
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or
26
commercial duplication without written permission from Erick Mukiira is
prohibited.
20
a
iir
1. INTRODUCTION
uk
Peter Brook remains one of the most revolutionary theatre directors in world
M
theatre history. He transformed how actors, directors, designers, and
audiences understand performance space.
k
ic
Before Brook:
Er
● Theatre heavily relied on expensive scenery
● Proscenium stages dominated performance
©
● Realism was highly prioritized
● Theatre often became rigid and predictable
ht
After Brook:
ig
yr
● Empty spaces became performance venues
● Minimalist staging became respected
op
● Actor centered theatre grew
● Experimental theatre expanded globally
C
Brook challenged one major question:
What is the minimum requirement needed for theatre to exist?
His answer changed theatre forever:
“I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks
across this empty space whilst someone else is watching him, and
this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged.”
— Peter Brook, The Empty Space (1968)
,Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or commercial duplication without written
permission from Erick Mukiira is prohibited. Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
2. LIFE HISTORY OF PETER BROOK
Full Name: Peter Stephen Paul Brook
Born: March 21, 1925, London, England
Died: July 2, 2022, Paris, France
Early Career
● Directed his first production at age 17
● Worked in Birmingham Repertory Theatre
26
● Worked at Royal Opera House
● Became famous through Royal Shakespeare Company
20
Major Career Milestones
a
iir
Royal Shakespeare Company
Directed:
uk
M
● Hamlet (1955)
● King Lear (1962)
k
● Marat/Sade (1964)
ic
● A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1970)
Er
International Centre for Theatre Research (1971)
©
Founded in Paris with Micheline Rozan.
ht
Purpose:
ig
● Explore global theatre traditions
yr
● Remove unnecessary theatrical excess
op
● Research actor-audience relationships
C
Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord (1974)
Brook transformed this abandoned Paris theatre into one of the world’s most
important experimental performance spaces.
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
3. FAMOUS PHRASES BY PETER BROOK
Quote 1
“I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage.”
, Unauthorized reproduction, resale, adaptation, classroom redistribution, or commercial duplication without written
permission from Erick Mukiira is prohibited. Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
Meaning:
Theatre can happen anywhere.
Quote 2
“Theatre is a living experience.”
Meaning:
Performance must feel alive.
Quote 3
“Hold on tightly, let go lightly.”
26
Meaning:
20
Artists should commit deeply but remain flexible.
a
Quote 4
iir
“A play is play.”
uk
Meaning:
M
Theatre must preserve creativity and experimentation.
k
Copyright © Erick Mukiira 2026
ic
Er
4. PETER BROOK'S MAJOR THEORIES
©
A. THE EMPTY SPACE THEORY
ht
From his book The Empty Space (1968)
ig
Brook argued theatre only needs:
yr
op
● Actor
● Audience
C
● Space
● Action
It does NOT always need:
● Large sets
● Expensive costumes
● Elaborate lighting
● Realistic scenery
Example:
