THEATRE OF HORRORS: The Sordid Story of Paris' Grand Guignol
About this Event
Thurs., Oct. 1st – 7:30 PM – SMALL THEATER
THEATRE OF HORRORS: THE SORDID STORY OF PARIS’ GRAND GUIGNOL (2025, Severin Films, 89 min. Dir. David Gregory.)
In 1897, in a back alley in the seedy Pigalle district of Paris, a former chapel turned small performance space became a theatrical institution forged in naturalism, controversy and grisly spectacle. Over the next 65 years, it would actively provoke revulsion, celebration and begrudging global esteem.
More than a half century after its final performance, the Grand Guignol remains one of the most wildly misunderstood and profoundly influential traditions in entertainment history.
From horror films to tabloid journalism, avant-garde theater to the true-crime genre, France’s ‘Theater of Death’ is still slicing, gouging, and spurting its pervasive way through culture both high and low. Or as the BBC recently declared, “Even if there were no ghosts onstage, this unusual little Parisian theater continues to haunt us today.”
In the new documentary by award-winning producer/director/editor David Gregory – whose previous explorations of transgressive entertainment include LOST SOUL: THE DOOMED JOURNEY OF RICHARD STANLEY’S ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU, BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE & GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON, ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE and SUZZANNA: THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC – and narrated by international genre icon Barbara Steele – legendary star of BLACK SUNDAY, THE PIT & THE PENDULUM, THE GHOST and more – discover the history, mystery, and ongoing socio-cultural impact of what may be France’s most infamous export.
“I’ve been fascinated by The Grand Guignol since childhood,” says Gregory. “But despite brief mentions in horror history books and deep scholarly studies, my search for a cinematic exploration of the subject had consistently proved unrewarding. Even my interactions with French genre filmmakers revealed their own superficial knowledge of the Theater’s significance. It’s all led me to dig deeper and discover the truth behind the pat adjective that ‘Grand Guignol-esque’ had become. The French approach to l'épouvante and fantastique – of which The Grand Guignol plays a major role – has always had its own distinctive influence which now deserves new focus.”
Plus, the ultra-rare Grand Guignol Silent Era short film “The Jest” (1921, 10 min.), with a new score by David J. of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets!
Special Thanks to: David Gregory / Severin Films.
Tickets: $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Doors open at 7:00 PM, film at 7:30 PM at The 418 Project, 155 South River Street, downtown Santa Cruz at the Dragons Gate.
Safety protocols will be in compliance with local guidelines at the time of showing.
Where is it happening?
USD 12.51 to USD 17.85
