Devising Theatre is a practical handbook that combines a critical analysis of contemporary devised theatre practice, with descriptions of selected companies, and suggestions for any group devising theatre from scratch. It was written because of a perceived need for information about the subject, and is the first book to propose a general theory of devised theatre. After introducing devised theatre, and identifying the unique nature of this type of performance, the author goes on to examine how devised theatre is perceived by professional practitioners, and considers the potential processes of creating a devised performance. The author looks at the particular working practice and products of a number of professional companies, including a Reminiscence theatre for the elderly, a company at the cutting edge of the contemporary, experimental scene, a theatre-in-education group, and site-specific work that is community or visually performance based. The author also offers ideas and exercises for exploration and experimentation.