The Theatre du Grand Guignol was founded by Oscar Metenier in 1897. Each night for 65 years the Grand Guignol titillated and terrified audiences drawn from every sector of Society. Ironically enough, this uniquely theatrical blend of high and low art, took place in an abandoned Chapel, and was a direct descendant of French Naturalism. In 1898 Max Maurey tookover and Grand Guignol entered it's Golden Age.
Andre de Lorde, known as "The Prince Of Terror" joined in 1901. Under the control of Maurey and de Lorde, The Grand Guignol quickly achieved the status of an elite Social entertainment. Maurey claimed that a Doctor was always in attendance to assist swooning spectators. On an average, two people passed out every night. Grand Guignol has had
influence on other Genres in todays Society.The Hunger Artists Theatre Company presents "Madame Guignol's Macabre Theatre" every year at Halloween. Each year brings a new theme, new vinettes, new chills, new blood and of course, more laughs, and more screams.
Shannon Flynn, a founding Hunger Artist member, says of why we do Guignol:
"...part of the reason was to create an annual Halloween tradition in Orange County. It was something unique that we could put our name on the map for. When we started, we loved putting the whole show together, trying to push ourselves beyond our expectations. We wanted to give audiences an experience that they would never forget. We wanted to scare and revolt people one minute, then make them laugh the next. And, of course, we wanted to have a fun time doing it."Visit our archives below and journey back through every bloody year:
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004
