Differences and similarites between Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht and Konstantin Stanislavsky

Each three of these practitioners wanted their audience to experience something different and unique, something they haven’t experienced before. All three of these practitioners have different types of theatre, such as, Konstantin Stanislavsky, who believed in naturalism and realistic theatre and also wanted his actors to connect psychologically and emotionally to their characters as well as physically. Stanislavsky always looked at a certain theatrical experience that was real and especially comfortable for the audience however, he wanted to create similar and relatable experiences through his theatre for the audience. However, I believe that Antonin Artaud is quite similar to both Konstantin Stanislavsky and Bertolt Brecht’s style of theatre and acting.  Within the acting side of theatre Artaud and Stanislavsky are very similar practitioners who want to achieve the same thing and, that is to access the emotions towards both the character and actor.

I believe that both Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud share similarities within their style of acting and theatre. When researching and experiencing some of Brecht’s and Artaud’s style of theatre straight away you could notice that both practitioners were quite melo-dramatic within their style of acting. I believe that this was possibly easier for both practitioners to convey their message across to the audience as it was more emphasised and accessible within a melo-dramatic piece of theatre. On the other hand, I also discovered that both their types of theatre are quite uncomfortable within an audience’s perspective, as an audience member you find both types of theatre difficult to watch. However, both practitioners share some differences within their own style of theatre and acting, such as, Antonin Artaud’s type of theatre is quite personal and looking at the details of humanity. However, Brecht is trying to represent humanity and what we stand for within society and the world. Also both Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud wanted to convey different messages to their audiences. Antonin Artaud wanted his audience members to come away from his plays/shows with a confused and bewildered manner however, later in a short period of time realise the message the performance was trying to convey. Whereas, Bertolt Brecht required intelligence from his audience members and he wanted something going on with the brain that was connected with his shows. However, most of Bertolt Brecht’s theatre shows were trying to convey political messages.