Question: Each Theatrical tradition and style is unique in its use of conventions and techniques. Compare and contrast two theatrical styles you have studied.
Modern theatre is a well-blended mix of many different and unique theatrical traditions. Although many of these traditions and techniques are just evolved versions of past techniques, it has to be said that the preferred techniques of Antonin Artaud and Bertolt Brecht are unique in comparison to the techniques of previous dramatists and playwrights. .
Antonin Artaud had a vision that set the forefront for all of his works. His vision was one of power, beauty and magic. Unfortunately, those who witnessed the plays based on this vision thought that Artaud was crazy. Although it turned out later that Artaud was indeed insane, his plays have been looked back on some of the most influential of the 20th century. Artaud's goal was to change the hearts of people through his plays, and hence change the world. His plays were often about issues during the time, and he used techniques, later dubbed the "Theatre of Cruelty", to assault the senses of his audience. His major techniques are as follows.
Artaud's most used, and arguably most powerful technique was the assault of the senses. Artaud believed that society as a whole had had their senses destroyed by current events, and hence could not be reached through their intelligence or understanding of the situation. Instead, he chose to juxtapose images of extreme beauty with images of extreme cruelty. For example, he would have an actor on stage with a small puppy. The actor would reach down and act as if he was about to stroke the puppy, and then break it's back. This kind of technique would always shock the audience, and it was this shock that Artaud wished to capitalize on. He would use this technique to address the issue that he was trying to tackle in a particular play. Often, however, theatre patrons, rather then realizing the point Artaud was trying to make, would instead refuse to consider any of the points Artaud was trying to make.
