Five Truths | Antonin Artaud | National Theatre

This video features two films from the Five Truths installation that focus on an Antonin Artaud influenced approach to the character of Ophelia.

What are the differences between five of the most influential European theatre practitioners of the 20th century? How would these five directors work with the actress playing Ophelia in the famous mad scene in Shakespeare's Hamlet? What would they ask the actress to do and how would they ask the actress to behave?

A video installation looking at these questions, called Five Truths and commissioned by the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre was created by a group of contemporary theatre makers lead by director Katie Mitchell. The multi-screen installation brings together five interpretations of Ophelia's madness in Hamlet. Ten screens of varying sizes simultaneously play films of Ophelia interpreted dramatically through the lens of Constantin Stanislavski, Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht, Jerzy Grotowski and Peter Brook.

Curated by Kate Bailey, created by director Katie Mitchell, video designer Leo Warner, set designer Vicki Mortimer, lighting designer Paule Constable and sound designer Gareth Fry, starring Michelle Terry as Ophelia.


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About Antonin Artaud
French artist who worked across a variety of media. He is best known for his writings, as well as his work in the theatre and cinema. Widely recognised as a major figure of the European avant-garde, he had a particularly strong influence on twentieth-century theatre through his conceptualisation of the Theatre of Cruelty. Known for his raw, surreal and transgressive work, his texts explored themes from the cosmologies of ancient cultures, philosophy, the occult, mysticism and indigenous Mexican and Balinese practices.

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