In Theater, the fourth wall is a concept invented by André Antoine which wanted to recreate on scene the Vraisemblance.
Quite front him, Diderot, in the Discours on dramatic poetry (1758), had formulated the idea that a virtual wall was to separate the actors from the spectators: “Imagine on the edge of the theater a large wall which separates you from the floor; play as if the fabric did not rise. ” (Chap. 11, Of the interest.)
The fourth wall is an imaginary screen which separates the Acteur from the Spectateur. Parallel with the head wall of scene, it is between the plate and the room, on the level of the slope. With this system, the actors started to have displacements more naturalists and daily newspapers, they could for example play back with the public.
The public then sees an action which is supposed to proceed independently of him. It is in position of Peeping Tom: nothing escapes to him but it cannot intervene. The character can break this illusion by making a comment directly with the public, or in aside.
Other uses
In the televised series (or the Film S, the cartoons, the video games, etc), to remove the fourth wall represents is one moment when the character applies to the public, that is to say when it states a fact out of the framework of the series and that it is impossible for him to know. For example if he speaks about the public or his own condition, a character breaks the fourth wall.
See also: Distance
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