First published in 1938, "The Theatre and Its Double" is a collection of essays
detailing Antonin Artaud's radical theories on drama, which he saw as being stif
led by conservatism and lack of experimentation. It contains the famous manifest
os of the 'Theatre of Cruelty', analyses the underlying impulses of performance,
provides some suggestions on a physical training method for actors and actresse
s, and features a long appreciation of the expressive values of Eastern dance dr
ama. Also included is 'Seraphim's Theatre', in which Artaud attempts an actor's
application of the Taoist principles of fullness and emptiness.
