Existentialism, the absurd and contemporary theatre

Priddey, Kieran (2024). Existentialism, the absurd and contemporary theatre. University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

Over sixty years have passed since the Theatre of the Absurd was first codified by theatre critic Martin Esslin, in that time, many different artistic movements have emerged and shaped theatrical orthodoxy. Furthermore, it has been an equally long time since the playwrights whose work has been characterised as Absurdist and Existentialist defined and expanded upon their own fields. The purpose of this research project is to explore how and why contemporary theatre continues to incorporate core ideas and themes from the Theatre of the Absurd and Existentialism to explore twenty-first century issues.

A definition of 'Absurdism', 'Existentialism', and 'the Theatre of the Absurd' will be provided in the first chapter to establish a foundation for the research. The rest of the thesis will be dedicated to the analysis of fourteen British playwrights, each chosen for the way in which they utilize, incorporate, and apply both the Absurd and existential thought. They include Caroline Horton's 'All of Me' (2016); Anthony Neilson's 'Realism' (2009); Caryl Churchill's 'Far Away' (2000), 'A Number' (2002), Escaped Alone (2016), and 'Love and Information' (2019); Dennis Kelly's 'Debris' (2004), 'Orphans' (2009), 'The Gods Weep' (2010), and 'Girls and Boys' (2018); Ella Hickson's 'The Writer' (2018); Mike Bartlett's 'Cock' (2009) and 'Albion' (2017); and Jez Butterworth's 'Jerusalem' (2009). In all, they represent a wide range of differing perspectives that span the last two decades of British contemporary theatre. Structurally, these plays will be divided according to the overarching themes of existential uncertainty, environmental exploitation, patriarchal violence and male toxicity, familial violence, racial tension,and identity, with each theme corresponding with a dedicated chapter.

The thesis concludes that the core themes within Existentialism and the Absurd remain pervasive despite the various theatrical and artistic movements that have emerged since. Furthermore, this thesis will also showcase how both Existentialism and the Absurd can be applied to better understand and tackle twenty-first century issues.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):