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5 months ago in Theatre Studies By Vishwas Rao

Sourcing Grotowski: A Quote on Marlowe and Modern Audiences

 I'm looking for the exact source of a Jerzy Grotowski quote where he talks about adapting classics like Marlowe's Dr. Faustus for contemporary audiences. I've seen it paraphrased a lot.

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By Anu Answered 2 months ago

 That sentiment is pure Grotowski, but you're right—it’s often paraphrased. To track down the exact words, your best bet is his seminal collection Towards a Poor Theatre (1968), especially the essay "Theatre's New Testament." Also, dig through his interviews from the 1960s in journals like The Drama Review (TDR). The core idea reflects his entire philosophy: classical texts must be radically adapted to speak directly to the immediate spiritual and social crises of the present audience, not treated as museum pieces.

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