Gordon Craig Lecture

One of the greatest artists in modern theatre, Gordon Craig’s work from 1900 to the 1930’s is still copied, studied and debated. His mother was Ellen Terry, one of England’s most famous actresses. Craig began as a young actor with Henry Irving's company until the age of twenty five then devoted himself to creating a different art form, a “theatre of the future”. For the next forty years he shattered all nineteenth and early twentieth century conventions of set design, lighting and production.

For approximately forty five minutes I explore his life and work using over fifty projected images. I discuss the three major influences in his life, Ellen Terry, Henry Irving and Isadora Duncan. We look at his woodcuts, engravings and his 'Black Figures'. Included are his designs for Stanislovski's 'Hamlet' and his 'Scenes’.

He influenced Meyerhold, Reinhardt, Stanislovski and Brecht. His theories were far ahead of their time and it wasn't until the 1950's that his ideas were more widely acknowledged. When Craig was well into his 80's, a young Peter Brook still turned to him for advice.

Students and professionals of theatre design, lighting, costume, acting, directing and theatre history will find this lecture of great interest. Not to be forgotten but to be celebrated and explored, Edward Gordon Craig was truly a genius of the theatre.

This lecture has been presented to theatre design, theatre history, acting and directing students at the University of Victoria, Ryerson University and York University.