Book Review: Collaborative Embodied Performance: Ecologies of Skill

Sometimes there are moments of magic in a rehearsal room, or on a sports field, or in a music studio. Moments where all the collaborators are suddenly in sync, thinking together, following the same path. They might have rehearsed these moments, practised them play by play. Or it might be spontaneous magic where the collaborative spark bounces around and the shared ideas tumble out. These moments are thrilling to be a part of and witness. They are also very difficult to explain logically. Collaborative Embodied Performance: Ecologies of Skill, edited by Kath Bicknell and John Sutton, attempts to do exactly that. This book collates ten chapters from different disciplines that examine the mechanics, tactics and outcomes of a particular skilful and collaborative interaction. While some chapters are quite scientistic in their approach, others were fascinating explorations of the ‘dizzying variety of remarkable ways that people move and think together, in unique places and settings, at a time and over time’ (1).