Not True, But Useful... A Cheek by Jowl Podcast Episode 1 - Thoughts from Inside Quarantine
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Apr 21, 2020 
Declan Donnellan, an esteemed Artistic Director, shares his creative insights alongside Lucie Dawkins, a thoughtful conversationalist. They discuss the challenges of theater-making during lockdown, emphasizing the idea of 'not true but useful' for creativity. The complexities of directing are explored, highlighting the need for flexibility in performance. They reflect on the importance of human connection during isolation and dive into the motivations of characters in 'Macbeth', revealing the tragic consequences of self-deception and emotional conflict.
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Prioritize The Play's Vitality Over Systems
- Donnellan warns against treating rehearsal methods as rigid systems and calls his book a tool for unblocking panic, not a universal recipe.
- He says the director's priority is vitality: stop killing life on stage rather than forcing a single method.
Nature Reclaims Authority In Lockdown
- Donnellan finds solace in nature and silence during lockdown and notices leaders' authority weakened while nature's presence rises.
- He welcomes the quiet as having a potentially positive effect despite the suffering around him.
Theatre Is A Two‑Way Encounter
- Donnellan defines theatre as an encounter: a two-way process where the audience and actors change each other.
- He insists theatre is an act of art, not a static work, relying on raw, reciprocal presence.