Collected Works: Volume Four

by Antonin Artaud

Drama. This important volume of COLLECTED WORKS includes one of Artaud's most seminal texts, THE THEATRE AND ITS DOUBLE, and his play THE CENCI. Also included are appendices, copious notes and his essay SERAPHIM'S THEATRE. THE THEATRE AND ITS DOUBLE, published here in its entirety, remains the most radical text on perfromance in print today. The lesser known SERAPHIN'S THEATRE outlines an actor's application of the Taoist principles of fullness and emptiness, and has provided inspiration to actors and directors in experimental and non-aturalistic areas of the theatre. THE CENCI is a practical application of some of the ideas contained in the THEATRE OF CRUELTY MANIFESTO and is an adaptation by Artaud of a historical scandal which had already been treated by Shelley and Stendhal. The play remains a landmark in twentieth century theatre as an early production of the THEATRE OF CRUELTY and it becomes an experience of unusual power and beauty on the stage. Translated and with an introduction by Victor Corti.

Genres: Literature

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

French surrealist poet and playwright Antonin Artaud advocated a deliberately shocking and confrontational style of drama that he called "theater of cruelty."

People better knew Antoine Marie Joseph Artaud, an essayist, actor, and director.

Considered among the most influential figures in the evolution of modern theory, Antonin Artaud associated with artists and experimental groups in Paris during the 1920s.

Political differences then resulted in him breaking and founding the theatre Alfred Jarry with Roger Vitrac and Robert Aron. Together, they expected to create a forum for works to change radically. Artaud especially expressed disdain for west of the day, panned the ordered plot and scripted language that his contemporaries typically employed to convey ideas, and recorded his ideas in such works as Le Theatre de la cruaute and The Theatre and Its Double .

Artaud thought to represent reality and to affect the much possible audience and therefore used a mixture of strange and disturbing forms of lighting, sound, and other performance elements.

Artaud wanted that the "spectacle" that "engulfed and physically affected" this audience, put in the middle. He referred to this layout like a "vortex," a "trapped and powerless" constantly shifting shape.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theater of cruelty is more effective in actuality than it looks on paper. Though, despite this skepticism, I find myself often thinking back on this book over the ten or so years that have passed since I read it.

[Teralynt]

This book is always on my currently reading list. I always gather amazing insights about theatre, life, and inspiration.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favourite of the series.