Violence In E R Face Theatre Analysis

The present paper deals with the subject of violence and Homosexuality that has come to acquire a significant place in the theatre of 1990s. Violence is seen as a part of break cutting edge in the works of Mark Raven hill that has drawn a clear cut imagery which symbolizes the character Psyche. Violence amidst shock-fest imparts a new In e’r face sensibility which acquire new dimension. Sex and consumerism as the part of affect theory in which ‘affect’ functions as a psychoanalytic paradigm and acquires a cultural metaphor is highlighted. Unlike Kane, Raven hill, too has his way of portraying the level of violence and Psychological trauma that inbuilt his characters. Affect theory apart from Psychoanalytical theory has been focused in terms …show more content…
Ken Urban argues that it is not the violence but cruelty which dominates In e’r face theatre. He calls In e’r face theatre as a ‘New nihilism. In line with Artaud’s philosophy, he defines cruelty as “the violent awakening of consciousness, both unseen and unspoken (302)”.
In the play ‘Shopping and Fucking’, Mark Raven hill has blended the episodic plot of various characters each of one tells a story and each story reflects the theme of homosexuality where the two homosexuals interchange their ideas and feeling amidst situational dialogues which takes place between them. The play reflects a glimpse of the life of Mark, Robbie and Gary. Mark goes to rehabilitation centre to have drugs and is a character filled with sexual powers and essence of monetarism. He has emotions for Gary---- a teenage prostitute, he cannot repress his feelings and overtakes boy with love and passion. In him the power of