Antonin Artaud and the Theatre of Cruelty

The Goal of Antonin Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty Did Antonin Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty manage to change society in the way he intended? Antonin Artaud: some say a madman, others say a theatrical genius. His fury and rebellion against the world around him are clearly demonstrated by the theatre he created. He wanted the audience to feel what he did and associate with his thoughts at a subconscious level. Artaud desired to show everyone something …

…been properly applied. Its influences can be noted in the work of Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski, and many other practitioners. As it is, the Theatre of Cruelty reformed society, but only within confinements of theatre. It didn't change civilization to the degree Artaud intended. Society would still be 'sick' in Artaud's opinion, filled with violence and destruction. Antonin Artaud's theories have now been recognized throughout the theatrical world and will echo in years to come.