Offending the Audience

Offending the Audience (Publikumsbeschimpfung)

    Alternative Title: Tongue-Lashing

    Author: Peter Handke

    First Performance: 1966, Frankfurt/Main

    Published: 1966

    First English Translation: 1968

    Genre: Drama in 1 act; German prose

    Setting: Bare stage, 1966

    Cast: 4m or f

The audience is ushered into the theatre with even more formality than usual, and those whose clothing is too casual are to be refused admittance. When the curtain rises, the stage is empty but for four speakers, who, after initially ignoring the audience, begin to address them directly. At first, the speakers destroy any illusions the audience might have about the nature of the piece. They then make statements about the relationship of the audience to the stage: they even congratulate the...

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