Anthony Sher’s book Year of the King is a fascinating look at an actor and his process of working as he takes on the role of Richard III. He begins the process by examining the text and his character in a very studious, conscious manner. Then the process continues at an unconscious level as the script works on him and sends signals back to his conscious self. To capture these signals, Sher writes down or draws every image and idea that comes to him. Interestingly, while he understands the need for research and hard work, he also understands and accepts the role of intuition in the creative process. Once he considers taking on the role of Richard III, he allows everything in his daily life and the world around him to speak to him about the character and the play. This openness provides him with an endless, richly textured tapestry of ideas and images
Picasso said, “the artist is a receptacle of emotions [and I would add images, ideas, and beliefs] that come from no matter where; from the sky, the earth, a piece of paper, a passing figure, a cobweb. This is why one must not discriminate between things. There is no rank among them.” Anthony Sher seems to agree with this idea and shows us how an actor can work by allowing ideas to come from anywhere, from everywhere. Understand that both of these artists, like huge antennae, drew in all sorts of ideas, many of which looked good at first but ended up as compost for the other “idea seeds” to grow in. To be open to all such ideas, you must be curious. You must ask questions and then ask more questions. Most important, to become open and receptive to ideas you must learn to turn off your judgment and to play with the role. Year of the King provides readers with a great example of this approach to the creative process.
As Simon Callow said in his review of the book, “This is the most wonderfully authentic account of the experience of creating a performance. It’s full of delicate and sometimes moving observation; full of striking information…; full of the frustration and tedium and occasional tears of the unequal struggle of any of us flawed thespians with ourselves and a great role; and full of his own astonishing and unforgettable drawings. Images, images. What images!”
This is a book to add to your acting bookshelf.