There is a thin line between performance and nothingness. Because it is, above all, a transient moment, an ephemeral piece of time and space, bringing together performers and spectators in a privileged experience, which indeed can acquire the quality of shared dream or revelation. But to captivate an audience and raise it on magic peaks, and to fill the empty stage with such a unique accomplishment, supposes, for the performers in charge, a very arduous process of exercise and preparation, both spiritual and material. Theatre means hard work, theatre means dedication. This is what makes Ella Joseph's book an exciting introduction to the intricate activities and viewpoints required by such an event.Step by step, Ella follows and reconstructs the fascinating but exhausting work in progress of her production Parsifal Unspoken, on the practical as well as on the theoretical levels. She freely combines European and extreme-Oriental sources of inspiration, medieval lyrics and 19th century art concepts, at the same time using the most modern techniques (from visual arts and media) in a multidisciplinary stage approach. All of this constantly related to our own quests today. (Liliana Alexandrescu, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)