The Cenci

Antonin Artaud intended that The Cenci would be the first production in his new style theatre — The Theatre of Cruelty. While he was disappointed in the results and its reception (each performance was interrupted by riots), the story remains compelling and has been the subject of plays by Shelley and Stendahl as well as numerous paintings and even an opera. Based upon actual events in 16th C. Rome, The Cenci is a story of corruption (both personal and public), incest (or the accusation of incest) and murder.