The Town Scryer is a mixed bag of humor, socio-political observations and ephemera from the perspective of a eclectic Pagan veteran of the counter-culture.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Theater of Cruelty

          


 In the twenties the French surrealist playwright Antonin Artaud introduced the "Theater of Cruelty". Cruelty referred not to sadism, but to a violent stripping away of illusions. 


    Now the Army wants to stage readings of Sophocles  Ajax and Philoctetes for the troops at Gitmo. 


     Called “Theater of War,” the program takes the martial themes of the plays and treats them like “ritual reintegration for combat veterans by combat veterans.” Panel discussions with veterans typically follow the readings, “to increase awareness of post-deployment psychological health issues, disseminate information regarding available resources, and foster greater family and troop resilience.”




     No word yet as to whether the prisoners will be forced to work as extras.


     


     Be seeing you.


     Danger Room

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