Shakespeare in the Theatre: Cheek by Jowl by Dr. Peter Kirwan
Dr. Peter Kirwan’s new book, Shakespeare in the Theatre: Cheek by Jowl (Bloomsbury, 2019) was published on 21 February. Peter’s book is the first full-length scholarly study of one of Europe’s most acclaimed theatre companies.
Founded in 1981 by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, Cheek by Jowl’s work has toured across six continents, launched dozens of actors to international stardom, and revolutionised audiences’ understanding of European drama.
Across six chapters and twelve detailed case studies of the company’s productions of Shakespeare, Peter’s book traces the legacy of Cheek by Jowl, considering rehearsal room practices and the compiling of text; the design process and use of space; the company’s innovative interplay of bodies and environment; their experiments in single-sex casting; and the crucial role of empathy in exploring the Shakespearean text. Featuring material drawn from new interviews with the company’s alumni and thorough investigation of Cheek by Jowl’s archives, Peter’s book tries to pin down the elements of Cheek by Jowl’s unique style and the insights this gives into the plays.
The book is now available to buy at https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/shakespeare-in-the-theatre-cheek-by-jowl-9781474223294/ .
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