Stylisation and the use of The Mask are interrelated in Meyerhold's approaches to acting. Meyerhold believed that the creativity of the actor is shown in his movements which is enhanced and extended by the use of Masks. Meyerhold's mask training was explored through make-up, hair, hats, scarves, eye glasses as well as Commedia dell 'arte masks .
Masks therefore enabled the paradoxical nature of theatre to be explored in rehearsals and performance.
Create a mask using anything in your surroundings. Complete the steps below slowly.
(Hatton and Lovesy, 2009, pp. 136: Adapted from Appel 1982).
Discuss with your peers via video conferencing or chat the questions below.
The Grotesque is a style of contrasts which allows. the actors to switch the audience from an emotion or understanding of whats/he has just seen to another which is totally unforeseen (Cutler, 2004, p.17). The Grotesque can be called the 'genre of surprise' (Pitches, 2003, p.61) and Meyerhold used the contradictions in surprise to help disturb his audience by creating shifts and changes in the reactions to the performance. Pitches' says that Meyerhold felt that The Grotesque should have the following unsettling qualities: