Synopsis
Grand-Guignol - The French Theatre of Horror
Richard J Hand & Michael Wilson
Published by University of Exeter
Indeed, the phrase grand guignol has entered the language to describe any display of sensational horror
Since the theater closed its doors forty years ago, the genre has been overlooked by critics and theater historians
This book reconsiders the importance and influence of the Grand-Guignol within its social, cultural and historical contexts, and is the first attempt at a major evaluation of the genre as performance
It gives full consideration to practical applications and to the challenges presented to the actor and director
The book also includes oustanding new translations by the authors of ten Grand-Guignol plays, none of which have been previously available in English
The presentation of these plays in English for the first time is an implicit demand for a total reappraisal of the grand-guignol genre, not least for the unexpected inclusion of two very funny comedies
See also companion volume London's Grand Guignol and the Theatre of Horror by clicking