Sean Holmes's career in the theatre spans over 20 years, directing productions at the RSC, Donmar Warehouse, Old Vic, Royal Court, Filter Theatre and the Oxford Stage Company. He took over as Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith, London, in 2009 where he has overseen the renovation of the building and has introduced a whole new audience to the venue through ventures like Secret Theatre - one of the most ambitious theatrical experiments that has happened; premiering radical new work, such as Simon Stephens's controversial Three Kingdoms; and launching groundbreaking revivals such as Edward Bond's Saved, Sarah Kane's Blasted and Mark Ravenhill's Shopping and F***ing.

In this collection of essays, Sean Holmes considers where theatre is at today through the lens of his own experience and career. He explores the process of creating theatre and his own approaches to directing; the experience of being in the rehearsal room; the power of the dramatic gesture; the role of dramaturgy; the process of casting; the importance of moving away from literalism; how you can reinvent expectations in what you do; and what theatre does, what traditions influence it, and why we do it.

Remarkably fresh and insightful, these essays are an invaluable way to learn about contemporary theatre and to find out what it is like to be at the centre of the creation of theatre from one of the foremost theatre makers of today.