Jacques Lecoq
1921 - 1999 | Physical Theatre & The Mask
The Body Speaks
Jacques Lecoq started his career not in theatre, but in sports. He applied his knowledge of muscles to acting, creating a method that focuses entirely on the body. He believed that the body speaks before the mouth opens, and that great acting comes from physical precision, not just intellectual thought.
Interactive: The 7 Levels of Tension
Lecoq used a scale to analyze how much energy a character is holding in their muscles. Click through the 7 levels to see how an actor's body changes based on their internal tension.
1. Exhausted / Catatonic
The body is a jellyfish. There is no tension in the muscles. You can barely keep your eyes open or stand up. Complete relaxation.
Essential Terminology
A featureless mask. It hides the face so the actor must communicate with their posture.
French for "The Game." Lecoq believed acting should always be playful, even in tragedy.
A group of actors moving and breathing as one organism to teach ensemble awareness.
Using the minimum amount of effort for the maximum effect. No wasted gestures.
Find a physical starting point
Describe the character or scene. Get a physical centre, tension level and movement prompt to test.