The Grand Guignol
From 1897 to 1962 the Grand Guignol Theatre in Paris attracted a fervent following of assorted spectators who either exorcized unspeakable impulses or exulted in the unspeakable crimes. Gordon has preserved this institution, which influenced both vanguard and boulevard drama, for theater history. He situates the phenomenon in turn-of-the-century naturalism and carefully records its dramatis personae and policies. He includes summaries of 100 plots, and with the help of Jeff Casper has translated three plays by the "Prince of Terror," Andre de Lorde. The book is also a treasury of stills, posters, and other theater memorabilia. Indispensable for theater history collections. Marilyn Gaddis Rose, SUNY at BinghamtonCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.