This unique French traditional theatrical practice first opened its doors to the public in 1897 in Paris and sadly gave it’s last performance in 1962. Le Theatre du Grand Guignol was the name of the theatre venue, not the performance genre. It later became a genre in its own right due to its success and influence in different forms of entertianment: theatre, literature, music and film – hence the genre of ‘slasher’ horror. The theatre was actually quite small – approx 290 seats, tucked away off the beaten tourist track of rue pigalle – no bright lights (except red), glitz and glamour.
This particular style of performance developed out of naturalistic acting and melodrama in the late 19th century. Interestingly, melodrama was performed in the most graphic (or horrific) parts; thus to heighten tension and making the spectator become witness to the heigtened climax on stage – particularly when the perpetrator made eye contact with the audience, breaking down 'the fourth wall'. The appeal of Grand Guignol, in the early part of the twentieth century, was second only to The Eifel Tower as Paris’ biggest tourist attraction.
This genre of theatre walks a fine line between horror and comedy. however, Grand Guignol is not just about comedy, terror or horror being shown on stage. There are plays that also show no ‘blood’ or ‘guts’ but instead offer the viewer deep thinking as the story unfolds – some soul searching and moral way of thinking so to speak. In the twentieth century, a typical evening’s entertainment would provide its viewers the chance to laugh one minute and possibly cry the next. Traditionally the performances are short intense one act plays that can last anything from 20 to 40 minutes duration (usually there are four plays in total performed in one evening).
License to Thrill theatre company's own Grand Guignol plays last between 10 to 25 minutes. Hopefully this makes viewing more intense, whilst reaching the climax of the play sooner.
This particular style of performance developed out of naturalistic acting and melodrama in the late 19th century. Interestingly, melodrama was performed in the most graphic (or horrific) parts; thus to heighten tension and making the spectator become witness to the heigtened climax on stage – particularly when the perpetrator made eye contact with the audience, breaking down 'the fourth wall'. The appeal of Grand Guignol, in the early part of the twentieth century, was second only to The Eifel Tower as Paris’ biggest tourist attraction.
This genre of theatre walks a fine line between horror and comedy. however, Grand Guignol is not just about comedy, terror or horror being shown on stage. There are plays that also show no ‘blood’ or ‘guts’ but instead offer the viewer deep thinking as the story unfolds – some soul searching and moral way of thinking so to speak. In the twentieth century, a typical evening’s entertainment would provide its viewers the chance to laugh one minute and possibly cry the next. Traditionally the performances are short intense one act plays that can last anything from 20 to 40 minutes duration (usually there are four plays in total performed in one evening).
License to Thrill theatre company's own Grand Guignol plays last between 10 to 25 minutes. Hopefully this makes viewing more intense, whilst reaching the climax of the play sooner.