To save the theatre, the theatre must be destroyed, the actors and actresses must all die of the plague. They poison the air, they make art impossible. It is not drama that they play, but pieces for the theatre. We should return to the Greeks, play in the open air; the drama dies of stalls and boxes and evening dress, and people who come to digest their dinner.

Summary

This quote by Antonin Artaud suggests that in order to revive the true essence of theatre, it is necessary to metaphorically destroy the existing conventions and norms associated with it. Artaud criticizes actors and actresses for merely performing artificial pieces in enclosed spaces instead of embodying true dramatic experiences. He advocates for a return to the ancient Greek style of theater, performed outdoors and involving the audience more directly, as he believes that the confinement and formalities of modern theater diminish the authenticity and transformative power of the art form.

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