The Grand-Guignol: Aspects of theory and practice

Richard Hand, Michael Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Théâtre du Grand-Guignol in Paris (1897–1962) achieved a legendary reputation as the ‘Theatre of Horror’, a venue displaying such explicit violence and blood-curdling terror that a resident doctor was employed to treat the numerous spectators who fainted each night. Indeed, the phrase ‘grand-guignolesque’ has entered the language to describe any display of heightened, remorseless horror. Such is the myth of the Grand-Guignol: the reality is subtler and far more complex.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)266-275
Number of pages10
JournalTheatre Research International
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2000

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