A quiet Battle for the soul

TO be sure, Peter Brook's style of theatre isn't for everyone. But those who appreciate his stripped-down aesthetics and austere performance style will be moved by his latest production Battlefield.

This is storytelling pared down to its minimum. Its actors deliver their lines in a state of stoical calmness, even if the scripts call on them to relate a personal tragedy or walk into a fire. Its production design is as elemental as it can get - just four long sticks against a backdrop. Its music and sound design comprises one man (Toshi Tsuchitori) drumming a tabla with extraordinary skill.

Brook is a director whom, if you gave him a storm, he'd size it down into a teacup and put a lid on it. You find yourself watching the teacup in fascination.