Meta-theatre is a form of theatre that self-consciously addresses the nature of performance itself. It often breaks the fourth wall, allowing actors to acknowledge the audience or comment on the play's structure. This technique invites viewers to reflect on the act of watching and the conventions of theatre. Common elements of meta-theatre include characters who are aware they are in a play, direct addresses to the audience, and the use of play-within-a-play scenarios. Notable examples include works by William Shakespeare, such as Hamlet, and modern playwrights like Tom Stoppard, whose play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead exemplifies this style.