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How did Futurist performers break the fourth wall during theatre presentations?

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Umberto Boccioni: Unique Forms of Continuity in Space — Futurism *Unique Forms of Continuity in Space*, bronze sculpture by Umberto Boccioni, 1913; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

In the context of Futurism, performers broke the "fourth wall"—the imaginary barrier separating actors from the audience—by physically moving among the spectators during their spectacles. By invading the audience's space, these performers effectively dismantled the illusionary power of traditional theatre.1

Beyond simply moving through the crowd, Futurist presentations were intentionally designed to be scandalous, provocative, and antagonistic toward the bourgeois audience. To further shatter the separation between the stage and the viewers, they employed aggressive tactics such as:2

Physical disruption: Smearing glue on seats so audience members would stick to them.2
Logistical chaos: Selling the same ticket to multiple people to incite conflict within the audience.2
Provocation: Creating performances that aimed to shock or antagonize, often utilizing the techniques of music hall and variety shows to hold attention without relying on traditional plot or characterization.2

By treating the audience as targets of their aggression rather than passive observers, the Futurists sought to destroy the "suspension of disbelief" that defined conventional dramatic theatre.132