RI NOTES

For the Research Investigation of my IBTA Yr. 2, I am exploring the directing aspects of the Theatre of the Absurd with the play "A Doll's House". Therefore, I have done extensive research on the various aspects that take place in the Theatre of the Absurd.
The first practitioner to coin the term "Theatre of the Absurd" was an artist named Martin Essler. It was difficult to create a genre or name for this type of theatre, as practitioners of the "Theatre of the Absurd" create/direct/act out their plays in a way that breaks all genres and names.



"sense of metaphysical anguish at the absurdity of the human condition." Martin Essler



According to Dr. S. C. Mundra, the main characteristics of the Absurd Theatre are — 

1.Life is essentially meaningless, hence miserable.


2.There is no hope because of the inevitable futility of man’s efforts.


3.Reality is unbearable unless relieved by dreams and illusions.


4.Man is fascinated by death which permanently replaces dreams and illusions.


5.There is no action or plot. Very little happens because nothing meaningful can happen.


6.The final situation is absurd or comic.


7.Absurd drama is not purposeful and specific as it solves no problem. It is like an abstract painting 

which is supposed not to convey a definite meaning.

This type of theatre was created in order to reestablish the feeling of cosmic wonder and mythical imagination that had once been used in the past. This type of theatre seeks to startle the audience, with their highly unusual, innovative form.

Theatre of the Absurd has never had any clear-cut philosophical doctrines, no organized attempt to win converts, and no meetings. Each of the main playwrights of the movement seems to have developed independently of' each other. The playwrights most often associated with the movement are Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco, Jean Genet, and Arthur Adamov.

In the meaningless and Godless post-Second-World-War world, it was no longer possible to keep using such traditional art forms and standards that had ceased being convincing and lost their validity. The Theatre of the Absurd openly rebelled against conventional theatre.Indeed, it was anti-theatre. It was surreal, illogical, conflictless and plotless. The dialogue seemed total gobbledygook. Not unexpectedly, the Theatre of the Absurd first met within comprehension and rejection.

"A Doll's House"

- I have been exploring the themes and elements of this play as it uncovers about the life of a flamboyant woman. As I read about the style of directing used by the original directors of this play, I find that they revolve around a realistic visual for the audience.
I hope to imitate and derive my ideas as a Theatre of the Absurd director like Samuel Beckett directed "Waiting for Godot". I would remove a lot of the script and instead include more elements of surprise and incorporate more physicality.

A Doll's House contains a message of social significance that could be directed and portrayed without necessarily all the words (dialogue, monologue) of the original play. Instead there could be an incorporation of various techniques that are like the "Theatre of the Absurd". The characters all contain contrasting personalities and characteristics that could perhaps be visible through costumes that would describe each character, instead of using realistic costumes.