This work investigates the underlying principles of performance that transcend cultural boundaries, seeking to define the 'pre-expressive' state of the actor. Eugenio Barba, a renowned theatre director, and Nicola Savarese, a theatre historian, synthesize decades of cross-cultural research to identify recurring physical and energetic patterns in performers from diverse traditions. They argue that theatre anthropology is not a study of theatre history, but a study of the biological and cultural behaviors that allow a performer to command the attention of an audience.

Experts and practitioners widely regard this text as a foundational resource for understanding the physical mechanics of performance. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is balanced by the extensive visual evidence provided throughout the volume.