meta-theatre

Meta-theatre refers to a quality in a performance where the play explicitly acknowledges its own artificiality or theatrical nature. It often involves characters becoming aware they are part of a play, breaking the illusion of reality, or commenting on the acting process itself. This technique prompts the audience to reflect on the difference between fiction and reality, encouraging a deeper engagement with the themes and the art form. Essentially, meta-theatre blurs the line between the story and its presentation, inviting viewers to think critically about the nature of theatre and storytelling.