This has been prompted by my reading of Sir Robert Stephens autobiography and his views on acting.

Due to the many different approaches on how to act, just check the list at Amazon! can you learn from a book? or perhaps more interestingly can you actually be taught to act?

Not in a million years.....

No way...

No how....

I think its like most things, you can learn what to do and how to do it - but some people just aren't proficient. Acting is no different. Ask any producer - no matter how many times they say "do this", or "do that" it just doesn't work out.

I remember at school being asked to look mean...ME?? It'd have been like Boy George meets the Terminator!

Hmmm

I learnt all about lighting from a book (or two)

However experience (lots of it) improved and perfected my art

So I'd say yes you can learn from a book and yes a book can teach you methods and tricks to use in your craft - but only experience and getting up on a stage will gain you the practice you need to improve (or not!)

I agree with Martin. Again, about acting - but also about directing.

I learned directing from a book and from looking back on my own acting experience. I never had anyone to teach me, although I wish I had. So I taught myself.

In some ways it made me a selfish director, because I always think I know best. When dealing with a large cast this can be a bonus or a drawback at varying times. I don't tend to 'let go' enough, to give enough responsibility to other people on the team - I tend to do it all myself.

I am sure that someone who learns acting from a book will be able to learn all the techniques and tricks, and can probably practice by themselves, but you may become an excellent actor. But...........NOTHING is a substitute for actually gritting your teeth, taking a deep breath and stepping out there onto a stage in front of a whole audience. And once you step out there that very first time, you'll know what I mean - that YOU are now in charge. You can make that audience love you or hate you, it's all in your hands, they're now your audience to work or mould to your whim.

There's nothing more frightening or exhiliarating, more nerve-wracking or heart-stopping, and believe me - there's no better feeling in the world...and certainly, absolutely definitely, no better training.

I don't think you can learn to act from a book, like the others have said you can learn methods but it is all very different to putting it into practice. Probaly the best way to learn is to have someone more experienced teach you.

and like A-M said;

QUOTE

There's nothing more frightening or exhiliarating, more nerve-wracking or heart-stopping, and believe me - there's no better feeling in the world...and certainly, absolutely definitely, no better training.

It's a question of balance, isn't it? Books can help you to look at things in different ways, or try different approaches, but I don't think they can actually teach you to act. Those books should be used as a tool, together with practical experience, learning from others around you, and just plain old watching lots of theatre!

Has anyone tried a method called the Jeremy Whelan tape technique?

Lou