Does the world really need another book about acting – and how to improve? It's a reasonable question, with theatrical bookshelves the world over groaning under the weight of titles that discuss every possible facet of the craft, profession and business. Sally Ann Gritton makes a highly persuasive case for the addition of her own title, offering a genuinely refreshing and upbeat look at a business and discipline she knows really well.
Gritton is principal of Mountview (the prestigious London drama school) and, having been at the chalk face of actor training for over two decades, also has a ‘previous life’ as a performer. It's these two strands of Gritton's work that give the book its authenticity. Rather than another actor training manual that starts in the past (usually sometime around the establishment of the Moscow Art Theatre) and offers theory and exemplification, The Independent Actor is emphatically contemporary and all the better for it. Deliberately light on theoretical discussion, this is a fast-paced and accessible guide using real-world examples to explore the craft of performing.
Twelve chapters give great insight into the ‘hows and whys’ of performing. ‘Process,’ for example, unpicks aspects of line learning, rehearsals and how an actor gets themselves ready to show their work in front of an audience. It's written in a direct and friendly style and would offer enormous support and advice to a young or emerging performer. Equally, the examples are of such good quality that it's the sort of book that an experienced performer might well want to dip in and out of. Even more welcome is Gritton's emphasis on wellbeing, self-care and the realities of an industry and profession that can be physically and emotionally challenging.
I loved that a chapter on ‘Character’ makes scant mention of Stanislavski because, let's face it, there really is a lot on him already. Instead, this chapter looks at the concept through more contemporary practitioners and focuses on the transformational process that the actor undergoes.
In a world that is densely populated with written companions for actors, Gritton's book is highly persuasive. Her enthusiasm leaps off the page – this would be an excellent addition to the bookcase of anyone with more than a passing interest in the profession.