The Mask Handbook
A Practical Guide
By Toby Wilsher
Routledge – 2007 – 200 pages
This book, from Europe’s leading Mask director and co-founder of the Trestle Theatre Company, provides a fascinating demystification of the process of using masks.
Full of simple explanations, and collating over twenty-five years’ experience of writing for, directing and acting in masks, The Mask Handbook examines how masks have the ability to play the fundamental game of theatre – the suspension of disbelief.
The Handbook includes:
This accessible and inspiring handbook will empower teachers, directors and actors to fully explore the world of the mask.
1. Masks!! In the Twenty First Century? 2. Where do our Masks Come From? 3. How the Mask Works 4. Applications 5. Preparing for the Mask 6. Using the Mask 7. Devising with Masks 8. Directing Masks 9. Developing Time on Stage 10. The Half Mask 11. Other Mask Types 12. Mask Design and Making
Toby Wilsher trained at Middlesex University then co-founded Trestle Theatre Company in 1981. For 23 years he was an actor, writer, maker, designer and director for Trestle, seeing his work performed in 31 countries. Since 2004 he is a freelance director, writer and corporate trainer.