Arthaud's theory and its double: Peter Shaffer's The royal hunt of the sun

Résumé

This is a study of Peter Shaffer's play, The royal hunt of the sun, in the light of Antonin Arthaud's theatrical theory, made explicit in his book, The theatre and its double, where two main points become evident: the use of the language of the mise-en-scène and the use of the stage-auditorium as a single whole. Both lead to a single aim, the experience of the theatre as a kind of ritual. The elements of the play, from the non-linguistic to the most evidently verbal ones, constitute a particular theatre language. While it is being uttered, it serves the purpose to rouse special feelings in the spectators, who then will be identified with the actors. As a consequence, the performance becomes a ritual, which illustrates Arthaud's influence.