Artaud, Antonin (1896-1948)
Creator details
- Name
- Artaud, Antonin (1896-1948)
- Nationality
- French
- Biography
- French dramatist, theorist, poet, actor, and draftsman. He set out to create a 'theater of cruelty' that obviated classical theatrical presentation, and intended to revive magic and ritual. He was allied with the Surrealist movement, and wrote the scenario of the first Surrealist film, 'The Seashell and the Clergyman.' He is widely considered an important figure in the development of the theatrical avant-garde during the latter half of the 20th century. He began writing art criticism from ca.1920, and in Paris studied acting with Charles Dullin around this time. He created drawings, which he continued to do, with gaps, for the remainder of his life. He founded the Alfred Jarry Theatre and the Th351atre de l'Atelier, for which he designed sets. He was prolific in the last years of his life, writing essays, drawing, and producing a radio play 'Pour en Finir avec le Jugement de dieu.'
