Simon Gantillon and His “Theatre of Escape” – The Quest for the French Expressionistic Texts

Though the French did not create typically expressionistic dramas, comparable to the Germans, although while analyzing selected works or the French artists it is hard not to notice their certain inclination to this vanguard trend. That tendency is visible especially in stage directions (didascalia) explaining truly expressionistic visions of the writers. No one wants to force the idea that the expressionism ruled over France, because this trend was strange to the Cartesian sense, notwithstanding to this Gaston Baty who was open to all kind of novelties from Europe willingly referred to the accomplishments of the international avant-garde, including Germans, from the interwar period. Simon Gantillon who cooperated closely with the innovatory director was inspired by the achievements of his master. The writer created dramas in which he precisely illustrated the naturalistic way how they should be put on stage. Stage directions give us many valuable comments on staging which go beyond the frames of the common reality and which from the contemporary point of view should be seen as based on the expressionistic aesthetics.