Autorzy w poszukiwaniu postaci scenicznych
Authors in Search of Stage Figures

Author(s): Antoni Winch
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Mrożek; Pinter; Levin; Fuchs;
Summary/Abstract: The article analyses selected works by Sławomir Mrożek (The Turkey; The Tailor; Tango); Harold Pinter (The Homecoming) and Hanoch Levin (Emperor Gok; Yakish Poupche) in context of the postmodernist doctrine. Of particular interest here is the influence which the postmodernist perception of the world in the categories of a stage performance and simulacrum exerted over the constructing of a dramatic figure. A human being functioning on the stage of everyday life as an actor performing in his/her play; on the real stage ceases to be human; frequently becoming grotesque; an amalgamation of different forms; poetics and conventions. The dramatic nature of his/her existence wilts. It is replaced by an absurd play of cultural associations; overlapping clichés of the past; old stage traditions. Mrożek; Pinter and Levin; while searching for their characters; find only the shadows of old protagonists. They try to enliven them; intertwining their fates into frequently tragic plots. However; they fail; as postmodernism; while deconstructing metanarratives; also deconstructed tragedy as one of them. As a result; the aforementioned authors create works saturated with comic quality; which; through its ridiculousness induces horror;

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