We settled into our chairs before the crowd arrived, and the 93-minute play is about a crowd arriving and settling into the many many chairs dragged onto the stage by the old woman:
July 2, 2026
"I have a message, that's God's truth, I struggle, a mission, I have something to say, a message to communicate to humanity, to mankind"/"To mankind, my darling, your message!"
Said the old man and the old woman in Eugene Ionesco's absurdist play "The Chairs," which we saw last night at American Players' Theater — "A Comedy About the End of It All."
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15 comments:
Messenger to mankind is an exceptionally unrewarding job.
Never developed an appreciation for absurdist theatre nor atonal music, which my mind has inextricably linked together since an uncomfortable stint at KUCR 89.1 FM in early 1981 coincided with both occupying too much of my time, much to my despair.
“We settled into our chairs before the crowd arrived, and the 93-minute play is about a crowd arriving and settling into the many many chairs that dragged onto the stage by the old woman”
Was it as riveting as it sounds?
"Was it as riveting as it sounds?"
It was brilliant. Fantastic. But if you don't appreciate clowning and crazy nonsense with shadows of meaning, like being inside the brain of a person going down to dementia, it's not for you.
Everyone is a messenger from God. That keeps the supply high and the price down.
“But if you don't appreciate clowning and crazy nonsense with shadows of meaning, like being inside the brain of a person going down to dementia, it's not for you.”
Well, I have no idea what it’s like being inside the brain of a person going down to dementia, so I’ll take your word for it.
That looks enjoyable.
Theater of the Absurd. I remember I did a scene from The Bald Soprano in one of my college acting classes. I played Mr. Martin.
MR. MARTIN: How bizarre, curious, strange! Then, madam, we live in the same room and we sleep in the same bed, dear lady. It is perhaps there that we have met!
I write absurdist comedy too. Have all me life. People, I have discovered, aren't sophisticated enough to "get" it. But I don't know why they have to start screaming and throwing things at me. Well here's a little secret for you so-called "people": grow up! And stop throwing things, you dumbasses. I'm serious!
I'd go if it was Mel Brooks's Twelve Chairs.
We did Absurdist theater readings in (honors) Modern Literature. Nobody particularly liked it, not even the instructor.
Absurdism is simply misanthropy.
Reminds me of the sales pitch, “It’s not expensive, you just can’t afford it.”
“Jaq said...
Reminds me of the sales pitch, “It’s not expensive, you just can’t afford it.”
Ha that is great, they don’t teach that in sales school, but I have had that pitch made to me many times.
Why not do fourth wall breach audience participate and read script??!! ...
Will that be absurd or real?
I don't like absurdist theater in general, but I love Ionesco and Stoppard. I saw The Chairs in 1971 at William and Mary. It doesn't sound like it would be gripping, but it is if well done.
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