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University of Missouri--Kansas City

Hello, Cruel World: Antonin Artaud’s Pursuit of Primal Theatre

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis delves into the most volatile years of the notoriously volatile life of French poet and theatrical theorist Antonin Artaud (1896–1948). At the heart of the research is an examination of his voyages to Mexico and Ireland, as these seem to be relatively neglected in relation to understanding his body of work. The research encompasses biographies of Artaud, his own account of his Mexican excursion, as well as his essays, letters, plays, and poems in English translation. In addition, books and articles with varied interpretations of his work, and excerpts of the Irish Department of External Affairs file, “Enquiry from Antonin Artaud re: ‘Sources d’Antiques Traditions’ in Ireland’” as published in the ​Dublin Review ​ . The research shows a remarkable consistency in his artistic voice. It was also discovered that after returning from Mexico, he made peace with several figures he renounced early in his career. The significance of his correspondence with publisher Jacques ​Rivière is further noted.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A.
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Theatre (UMKC)
Grantor
University of Missouri--Kansas City
Year dc:date.issued
2016

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Hagerty, Andrew
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Londré, Felicia Hardison, 1941-

Rights

Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/49246
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/49246

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Base URL
mospace.umsystem.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Hagerty, Andrew. Hello, Cruel World: Antonin Artaud’s Pursuit of Primal Theatre. Masters thesis, University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2016. https://hdl.handle.net/10355/49246