This work investigates the fundamental principles of performance through the lens of theater anthropology, seeking to define the pre-expressive state of the actor. Eugenio Barba and Nicola Savarese utilize a cross-cultural approach, drawing on decades of research into diverse theatrical traditions from both Eastern and Western performance practices. The authors argue that beneath the varied cultural expressions of theater lies a universal set of physiological and energetic techniques that govern the performer's presence on stage.

Experts in performance studies identify this text as a foundational resource for understanding the mechanics of theatrical presence. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is balanced by the inclusion of detailed visual evidence to support the authors' theoretical claims.