Night of Grand Guignol
Reduxion Theatre Company (RTC) pushes boundaries once again as it produces the stage play “Night of Grand Guignol” in Oklahoma City. Grand Guignol (pronounced grahn gee-nyawl) theatre has roots in turn-of-the-20th-century French theatre, with themes exploring horror, sensationalism and seduction, often breaching common sensibilities. Grand Guignol plays lost popularity after World War II, but has recently experienced revivals in cosmopolitan cities like London and Washington, D.C. More commonly known and comparable, but not exact, examples of Grand Guignol-like plays include William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus and Sweeney Todd.
“Oklahoma City audiences are as progressive as any major city’s audiences and they’re always thirsty for ground-breaking theatre. We think they’re ready to experience Grand Guignol,” said Tyler Woods, Reduxion’s Executive Artistic Director. “Reduxion strives to present the classics in fresh ways, and with this collection of classic French horror and camp, we are presenting a style of theatre that, to our knowledge, has never before been seen in OKC. This October, Reduxion brings Grand Guignol to the cultural doorstep of OKC and it is truly a thrill not to be missed!”
Each performance of Reduxion’s “Night of Grand Guignol” promises to challenge our humanity and titillate the senses. Featuring several vignettes per night, “Grand Guignol” performances cover topics like adultery, perceptions of beauty, mental disorder, love and pain. Reduxion plans an entertaining menu of “The Final Kiss,” “Jack,” “The Light House,” “Guillotine,” “Doing the Deed,” “The System of Dr. Tarr and Mr. Feather” and “Kiss of Blood,” as well as a few special surprises. Paying homage to original Grand Guignol performances, Reduxion’s adaptations include gory special effects, violence, sexuality and risqué antics.
“We’re excited to present this provocative art form to Oklahoma City for the very first time,” said Tim Berg, “Night of Grand Guignol” Director. “Audiences will be treated to questions about the human condition they may never have considered. Boundaries will be tested and possibly broken. Audience members should expect a night of fascination and horror, taking place just an arm’s length away.”
Grand Guignol will run Fridays and Saturdays evenings, October 5-27, with Friday shows differing from Saturday shows. Reduxion recommends attending a Friday and a Saturday performance in order to experience all seven vignettes. Performances include adult themes and are intended for audience members 18 and older; no children, please.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and military with I.D. Show-times are 8:00 pm, with a special midnight performance. A free parking lot is adjacent to the theater. Additional street parking is available. Tickets are available for purchase online at reduxiontheatre.com or at the door, before each performance.
–Reduxion Theatre Company
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