Jacques Lecoq

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Jacques Lecoq (December 15, 1921 - January 19, 1999) was a French actor, mime and acting instructor.

Born in Paris, he is most famous for his methods on physical theatre, movement and mime taught at l'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq from 1956 until his death in 1999.

Lecoq began his career by studying physical education and sport. After teaching this subject for several years, he found himself acting and a member of the Comediens de Grenoble. This company and his work with Commedia dell'Arte in Italy (where he lived for eight years) introduced him to ideas surrounding mime, masks and the physicality of performance.

Lecoq aimed at training his actors in way that encouraged them to investigate ways of performance that suited them best.

Acting style was aimed at a closer interaction with the audience, an extended use of general space and a focus on the physical rather than the emotional side of the character to impact on the audience by way of social or political comment.

In 1956, he returned to Paris to open his school, L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, where he spent most of his time until his death, filling in as international speaker and master class giver for the Union of Theatres of Europe.

Among his students were Mummenschanz, who are a Swiss theatre group.