The Cenci - Antonin Artaud Adaptation

Antonin Artaud Adaptation

Antonin Artaud staged his adaptation of Shelley's The Cenci in 1935, but his extensive use of surrealism in the performance meant that the production was shown only 17 times before closing. Antonin Artaud used highly graphic and disturbing images that were meant to release the audience from their current state of mind, especially during the murder scene where the main character Count Cenci (the role that was played by Artaud) is murdered by his two servants. These images were supposed to release the 'Savage under the skin', an aim that was commonly used by Artaud in many of his performances.

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