theatrical horror

Theatrical horror is a genre of performance that uses dramatic storytelling, visual effects, sound design, and staging techniques to evoke fear and suspense in audiences. It emphasizes theatricality, often employing exaggerated visuals, lighting, makeup, and atmospheric elements to create an immersive, unsettling experience. Unlike cinematic horror, it relies on live performance and stagecraft to deliver its emotional impact, engaging viewers through immediacy and the physicality of the performance. The goal is to elicit visceral reactions—such as shock or dread—by harnessing the artifice of theater in a way that amplifies the horror experience.