Lately, I've had gore on the brain. (The other day, I offered to gouge out Count D's eyes as a means of circumventing affirmative action... it's a long story.) Too bad I'm not living in the late 19th century, or I'd easily find catharsis through the Grand Guignol. The Parisian theater, which ran from 1897 to 1962, specialized in macabre plays that would put Alice Cooper to shame. No performance was complete without eye-poking, hand-chopping, flesh-tearing, or some other gory excuse to release a river of fake blood.
Although the Grand Guignol has fallen into obscurity since closing its doors, it has made a profound impact on horror films and modern special effects. Vestiges remain in the Dark Marchen's Victorian-meets-vaudeville act, a favorite of the Goth Loli Heaven club nights. San Francisco's Thrillpeddlers still perform plays in this tradition, and a troupe in Portland, Oregon stages a show every Halloween.
Above are some vintage posters for the original Grand Guignol. Pretty juicy, huh? (I think I need help...)
