Antonin Artaud

Antonin Artaud (1896–1948) was a French actor, playwright, director, poet, artist and theatre theorist. He worked in theatre and film, wrote extensively on performance, and was briefly associated with the Surrealist movement. In 1927, he founded the Théâtre Alfred Jarry with Roger Vitrac and Robert Aron. His concept of the Theatre of Cruelty had a lasting influence on modern theatre. His notable writings include “The Theatre and the Plague,” “No More Masterpieces” and “The Balinese Theatre”; his play “Les Cenci” premiered in 1935. Following a serious illness in childhood, Artaud spent periods in psychiatric care throughout his life.