The Theatre of

Cruelty
ANTONION
ARTAUD’S
1931 to 1936
Preamble
• introduction
• historical context
• Characteristics
• Playwrights
• Notable works
Introduction
• The Theater of cruelty is a form of experimental theater.
• The origin of the Theater of Cruelty is Antonin Artaud’s vision.
• The combination of the Dramatic movement and Balinese dance and then The theater of cruelty was born.
• The Theater of Cruelty deals with the Dark universal concept.
• Artaud was inspired by Sigmund Freud’s study of the unconscious mind.
• In the late 1930s, it took the Surrealistic approach to create its own violent and ritualized theory of drama.
• They were connected to the mysterious world of dreams with walking life in an attempt to reveal the hidden
mechanism of thought.
• The Theater of Cruelty is a sought-after breakaway from conventional storytelling and character development.
• Actors are physical and vocal performers.
• Artaud believed in the power of symbols and rituals to communicate with the audience on a subconscious level.
• Artaud emphasized the importance of engaging the audience’s senses on a visceral level.
Characteristics
•Audience Engagement.
• Open Expression.
• Gestures and movement.
• Less emphasis on text.
• Spatial Awareness.
Notable implementations and techniques of the Theater of Cruelty

• Sings.
• Central audience.
 playwrights

Antonin Artaud • The Theater and Its Double.

• The Cenci.
• Jet of Blood.
Me t h
od T
heatr
e
 Origin
The Method is an American version of the acting techniques that were
codified by Konstantin Stanislavski the Russian director who co-founded
the Moscow Art Theatre in the 1890s. He started codifying his approach in
1906. He called it the system.
 Introduction
• Method acting originated in the early 20th century.
• Most significant and commonly utilized concepts in the field of acting.
• Method acting means Realistic and Truthful acting.
• Lee Strasberg, a founding member of the Group Theatre in New York.
• Lee adapted the idea of Stanislavski’s and generated the Method.
• Focused on the internal psychological and emotional processes of the actor.
• Breaking away from the histrionic and dramatic performances.
• The Method has had a significant impact on acting and has influenced generations of actors.
 Characteristics
• Emotional Truth.
• Phycological Realism.
• Sense Memory.
• Animal Exercise.
• Action.
• Script Analysis.
 Notable Method Actors

• Marlon Brando
• James Dean
• Heath Ledger
• Jeremy Strong
• Christian Bale
• Danial Day Lewis
• Robert D Niro
• Al Pacino
 Works
• Raging Bull
• My Left Foot
• The last King of Scotland
• Monster
 References
• Https://Images.App.Goo.Gl/QWGgKEnP3twESGEw6.
• “What Is Method Acting?: Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.” The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, 26 Mar. 2021,
strasberg.edu/about/what-is-method-acting/. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.
• What Is Method Acting? History, Exercises, and Examples - Backstage, www.backstage.com/magazine/article/the-definitive-guide-to-metho
acting-65816/. Accessed 05 Feb. 2024.
• “The Theatre of Cruelty by Antonin Artaud Explanation in Hindi.” YouTube, 2 Feb. 2020, youtube/_iCnE29ZJg4?si=j9DvVxFI8A8h9qw5.
Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.
• Theater of Cruelty by Antonin Artaud | History & Characteristics, study.com/learn/lesson/theatre-of-cruelty-antonin-artaud-characteristics-
examples.html. Accessed 05 Feb. 2024.
• What Is the Theatre of Cruelty? | Backstage, www.backstage.com/magazine/article/theatre-of-cruelty-definition-examples-76311/. Accessed
Feb. 2024.
• Google Image Result for Https://Files.Schudio.Com/Ashton-Sixth/Imagecache/800x600s/News/_mg_6673.Jpg,
images.app.goo.gl/L7nhg1fvG1rasiVW8. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.
• Google Image Result for Https://Study.Com/Cimages/Videopreview/Videopreview-Full/Theatre_of_cruelty_artaud_120630.Jpg,
images.app.goo.gl/t54DLukb46W6vB659. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024.