The Avant-garde Little Theatre

The"little theatre movement"which is originated from France in the period from the end of 19th century to the beginning of 20th century is a necessary part in the research of how theatre developed from modernism to post-modernism, In 1887, Antoine who is an employee of gas company in Paris of France created a new situation in theatre history. He resigned from the office and organized Theatre Libre, and meanwhile initiated the"little theatre movement"unexpectedly. Little theatre spread quickly not only in Europe but the other side of the Atlantic.The little theatre emerged with an avant-garde appearance. Antoine advanced not only reform measures in view of existing situation of the old theatre, but fulfilled the theory by way of practice in the scope within his power. The young symbolist who named Paul Fort and Aurelien Lugne-Poe organized Le Theatre d'Art and Le Theatre de I' Oeuvre one by one as the camp of symbolism in order to confront naturalistic theatre. Copeau is known as the originator of modern theatre, he organized Theatre du Vieux Colombier and have performed immortal feats on the foundation of the new theatre. Copeau changed French theater via amazing achievements. Le Cartel that followed Copeau is a loose organization. They made an effort on performing and directing and created a new situation on theatre history. French drama in early 20th century was no more dominated by commercial theatre via their effort. There is a prosperity situation with realism theatre, symbolism theatre, poetic drama, surrealism theatre turned up one after another..As one of the distinctive features of the"little theatre movement",little vagrant theatres first initiated innovation of theatre. From design of the stage to construction of theatre and setting of seats, traditional theatres still exists and modern theatres are emerging. In the experiment of post-modernism theatre, it has moved outside and gone to streets. It is unfolded with the appearance of domination by directors in theatre of the 20th century,meanwhile literature is no more the domination with other kinds of art in theatre has ranked the same class of it. To throw off the shackles of play and to perform in an extemporaneous manner is one of the important characteristics of post-modernism theatre, In the performances of post-modernism theatre, there often appear the situation that is participated with both the audience and actors. There is no more a zone between them, furthermore, sometimes the performance appears with an appearance of ritual which is participated with the both.