The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade
This extraordinary play, which swept Europe before coming to America, is based on two historical truths: the infamous Marquis de Sade was confined in the lunatic asylum of Charenton, where he staged plays; and the revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat was stabbed in a bathtub by Charlotte Corday at the...
show more
This extraordinary play, which swept Europe before coming to America, is based on two historical truths: the infamous Marquis de Sade was confined in the lunatic asylum of Charenton, where he staged plays; and the revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat was stabbed in a bathtub by Charlotte Corday at the height of the Terror during the French Revolution. But this play-within-a-play is not historical drama. Its thought is as modern as today's police states and The Bomb; its theatrical impact has everywhere been called a major innovation. It is total theatre: philosophically problematic, visually terrifying. It engages the eye, the ear, and the mind with every imaginable dramatic device, technique, and stage picture, even including song and dance. All the forces and elements possible to the stage are fused in one overwhelming experience. This is theatre such as has rarely been seen before. The play is basically concerned with the problem of revolution. Are the same things true for the masses and for their leaders? And where, in modern times, lie the borderlines of sanity?
show less
Format: paperback
ISBN:
9781577662310 (1577662318)
Publish date: December 1st 2001
Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc
Pages no: 128
Edition language: English
Category:
Classics,
Literature,
European Literature,
Cultural,
Historical Fiction,
Plays,
Drama,
Theatre,
Politics,
France,
German Literature,
Germany
This is very much an avant garde 1960's play steeped in pretentiousness and a play that its author labelled as Marxist. It is absolutely a lot of fun and I would love to see it staged however. It uses a bunch of trendy techniques from European play writing in this period, but uses them effectivel...
Astounding. There's no other word for it. Just absolutely incredible (oops, used another word). This is the best 20th century play I've seen, hands down (though I've seen only a small number).
Possibly the most amazing play I've ever read. I have never seen it on stage but there is a riveting film under the direction of Peter Brooks that can be found on DVD with a little effort. But the reading of this play is a revelation in itself. It is very complex, a play-within-a-play, and works on ...
Here's a rule of thumb: don't make the title longer than the play itself. Also, keep in mind that two horrible people do not equal one great play.