Eugenio Barba, director, theorist and founder of Odin Teatret, is today one of the major points of reference for contemporary theatre. The Paper Canoe is the first major study of theatre anthropology; it distils all the research of ISTA, the International School of Theatre Anthropology, and focuses upon the pre-expressive level of the performer's art.

Barba defines this as the basic technique which creates 'presence' on stage; a dilated and effective body which can hold and guide a spectator's attention.

The Paper Canoe alternates between detached analysis and the observations of an ardent traveller who reveals the value of theatre as a discipline and a revolt. It comprises a fascinating dialogue with the masters of Asian performance and the makers of twentieth-century theatre, such as Stanislavski, Meyerhold, Craig, Copeau, Brecht, Artaud and Decroux, making their thoughts and techniques accessible and relevant to contemporary practice.

The Paper Canoe establishes beyond doubt the importance of Barba's practical and theoretical work for today's students and practitioners of performance.