Authenticity in Authorial Works of Devised Theatre: Approaches of the Millennials

Abstract

We can find certain similarities in theatre forms, topics and relationships to drama manifested and used by the artists of the same generation – so-called millennials operating primarily on the independent scene. They are more interested in autobiographical texts than in the original dramatic texts. The author is not represented as one person but as a cooperation of a collective of authors. It is the whole group of creators, the actors or performers included, who create the final shape of the text. It seems that expressing authenticity – in the text and on the stage – becomes the main intention of their approaches to drama. Trivial and everyday matters of life become the subjects of their interpretations. They place in the centre of their attention the human as their self-image or the human as a person they know from close or familiar circles, from media or stories of others. For authors, themselves or their issues and attitude towards life represent the inspiration. Also, they like to speak about themselves and analyse their feelings and perceptions as if defining these in front of the spectators brings them a therapeutic effect and confirms the relevancy of their attitudes towards life. What does such authenticity expressed by the self-projection of artists in their texts and in their performances bring to the audience? Does it raise any deeper awareness and understanding of life for the audience, or does it recycle what we already know?