Constantin Stanislavski (1863-1938), a Russian actor and director, devised a system which would allow an actor to "make the audience suspend their disbelief and believe utterly in the character on stage" by way of hard work and constant study. His System, the basis of the American "Method", is built around the theory that to completely deceive the audience, the actor must suspend their own disbelief and onstage become the character they are portraying. This he claims is made possible by training the actor, analysing the script, answering the Fundamental Questions and using creative imagination - the "Magic If".
The actor must train their body and voice, as even the strongest emotions can be conveyed by carefully judged, subtle movements. …
