Professor Paul Allain received a Research Grant in 2025 towards his new book, which is about to be published. He writes about the experience below. Do *you* have a research project that needs a boost? The grants deadlines have passed for this year but will run again next year – look out for an announcement in January 2027!

UPDATE on Paul Allain’s book: He writes ‘I am very pleased to say that my new book was published on 27.3, World Theatre Day. A lucky coincidence. What’s more, it will be freely available to access online until April 10th 2026.’

Paul Allain writes:

STR’s support contributed vitally to my 30,000-word book Movement, Text, Performance in the CUP Contemporary Texts Elements series, which is to be published imminently: https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/movement-text-performance/CC04803405161A13EBC9BDA9167714B4

This Element, as they are called, analyses how Polish-inspired movement practices can be used in theatre and performance processes. It is based on my experience working with the Gardzienice Theatre Association from Poland from 1989, which led then to my being movement director in the UK, including for several productions with director Katie Mitchell. My practice, drawing on contemporary Polish acting and movement from Jerzy Grotowski and his lineage, offers a perspective which is missing in many studies in British scholarship.

Amongst other things, such as purchasing Theatre Record membership and reviews, the award allowed me to visit the National Theatre Archive and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to view films and production materials related to Mitchell’s works on which I had collaborated.

The book would not have been possible without these archival visits, especially as a lot of material from the early 1990s was not in the public domain, including some performance documentation.

I am delighted to be an STR award recipient and am also very grateful that the administrative process was very simple. It was a great support for my research. Thank you.

Professor Paul Allain

Professor of Theatre and Performance
University of Kent