Valere Novarina's 'lesson in obscurity' (France)

Contemporary French playwright Valere Novarina bids readers to take a lesson in obscurity in his early theoretical text Pour Louis de Funes (1986): "Je voudrais qu'on eteigne la lumiere sur le theatre maintenant et que tous ceux qui savent, qui croient savoir, reviennent au theatre dans le noir, non pour encore et toujours regarder, mais pour y prendre une lecon d'obscurite, boire la penombre, souffrir du monde et hurler de rire" (Theatre des paroles 30, my italics). This study explores the meanings implied in Novarina's use of the word obscurity and its aesthetic and philosophical significance for his works.; The first part, Style and Influences, introduces the general characteristics of Novarina's writing and includes evaluation of his stylistic use of obscurity in relation to two important literary traditions: theater and poetry. An overview of the theatrical heritage that underlies Novarina's texts leads to an examination of the way Novarina's emphasis on obscurity sets him apart from his playwright contemporaries. In many ways, Novarina's texts defy their theatrical heritage. This study also elaborates the poetic devices that tie his work to modern poetry.; The second part, The Lesson in Obscurity: Aesthetics, Theorization, and Thematization, exposes some historical, theoretical, and philosophical components of Novarina's enigmatic poetics. Three chapters on medieval sources, Artaud's theory, and philosophical intertexts approach Novarina's works from a broader thematic perspective and bring out philosophical and theoretical influences on his development of obscurity.; Part three, The Cycle of Obscurity: from Origins to Performance , shows how Novarina's metaphysics of obscurity guides his choice of theater. This final section builds on earlier discussion to frame an account of Novarina's reflections on the logos and details how these reflections lead to the theorization of a sacred theater.