It is with infinite sadness that we have just learned of the passing of Georges Banu. He was a monument in himself. Of Romanian origin, and French at heart, Georges Banu, Emeritus Professor at Paris 3-Sorbonne Nouvelle, was a well of theatrical knowledge. An enthusiastic spectator, he never stopped writing and commenting on the activity of contemporary theatre makers. Of the many books he has published as an essayist, I will only mention a few that have made a mark: Théâtre sortie de secours (Aubier, 1984, drama critics prize), L’acteur qui ne revient pas (Aubier, 1986 , Folio 1993), as well as L’Homme de dos (Adam Biro, 2000). His latest book is entitled Le théâtre et l’esprit du temps (forthcoming with Second Epoque editions).

He was the creator in 1990, with Michelle Kokosowski, of the Experimental Theatre Academy, an adventure which marked the history of theatre in France and in Europe, and allowed us to get inside the rehearsal rooms of great directors, thus opening the way to a dialogue between theory and practice. He was co-director of the magazine Alternatives théâtrales, as well as director of the collection “Le temps du théâtre” at Actes Sud. From 1994-2000 he chaired the International Association of Theatre Critics, of which he remained an honorary member. He was part of the Editorial Board of the EASTAP Journal. After the disappearance of Christian Biet, of Hans-Thies Lehman, and Georges Banu today, the theaters of Europe feel a bit like orphans.

Josette Féral, EASTAP Honorary President

Georges Banu has been a Centre for Theatre Studies consultant until 2017.