It might be 5. However, I just can't recall clearly as it was a long time ago. The passage of time has blurred my memory. Maybe it was an event that occurred during that period, or a number that was significant in some way. But now, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what it was.

Despite the vagueness, there is still a hint of curiosity lingering in my mind. I wonder if there was any particular reason why that number 5 came to my mind. Was it related to a specific situation, a person, or something else entirely?

As I try to jog my memory, I find myself sifting through the fragments of my past. But unfortunately, the details remain elusive. It's like trying to catch a wisp of smoke. Nevertheless, the fact that this number has resurfaced in my thoughts makes me believe that there is still some hidden significance waiting to be discovered.

Ionesco writes plays for masochists.

His works are often characterized by absurdity, illogicality, and a sense of the grotesque.

In his plays, characters find themselves in strange and often nightmarish situations, facing challenges and conflicts that seem impossible to resolve.

The dialogue is often disjointed and filled with non sequiturs, adding to the overall sense of confusion and disorientation.

However, despite the apparent chaos and absurdity, Ionesco's plays also contain deep insights into the human condition.

They explore themes such as alienation, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems senseless.

Perhaps it is this combination of the absurd and the profound that makes Ionesco's plays so appealing to masochists, who seem to delight in the discomfort and challenge that his works present.

Whether or not one enjoys Ionesco's plays, there is no denying that they have had a significant impact on the world of theater and continue to be studied and performed today.

So silly and so nice.

From now on, I will be using the quote “Everything is cat.” very aggressively.

This simple yet profound statement seems to hold a certain charm. It makes me look at the world from a different perspective.

When I say “Everything is cat,” it's like a magical incantation that can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Maybe it's because cats have this mysterious and alluring quality. They are independent, yet also affectionate.

By associating everything with cats, I find myself seeing the beauty and wonder in the simplest of things.

It's a way to add a touch of playfulness and fun to my life.

So, let's embrace the “Everything is cat” mantra and see where it takes us.

Who knows, maybe it will lead us to discover new joys and experiences.

<3

2.5 stars? Gosh,

I thought I would read some absurdist plays. I really believed I could handle it. At the beginning of each play, I was completely rapt, my attention firmly fixed on the words and the unfolding scenes.

However, somewhere along the way, they lost me. It didn't just get weird; it got crazy... cubed! The plots seemed to spiral out of control, and I found myself struggling to keep up and make sense of it all.

I want to be cool enough to appreciate this unique form of theater, but unfortunately, I'm just not quite there yet. Maybe with more exposure and a deeper understanding, I'll be able to see the beauty and significance that others seem to find in these absurdist plays. For now, though, I'll have to settle for a somewhat confused and less-than-fully-appreciative experience.

In July 1982, the Portland Playreaders once again read "JACK, OR THE SUBMISSION."

This play holds a certain allure and significance. It likely presents a story that captivates the audience and engages their emotions.

The act of reading it again with the Portland Playreaders indicates a continued interest and appreciation for the work.

Perhaps new interpretations and insights are discovered each time it is read.

The playreaders bring their own perspectives and talents to the table, enhancing the overall experience.

July 1982 becomes a memorable month as they gather to explore the depths of "JACK, OR THE SUBMISSION" once more.

It is a time of artistic expression and connection, as the words of the play come to life through the voices and efforts of the Portland Playreaders.

This repeated reading not only enriches the understanding of the play but also contributes to the cultural and artistic fabric of the community.

The theatrical productions of the Cedar edition:

The bald singer, The Lesson, The Chairs.

To begin with, the fact that there are no comments at all is unacceptable. This particular theater of the absurd seems more like a theater of boredom. The first work is crude and repetitive, aiming to show us that communication in modern societies is impossible or to shatter all theatrical conventions. It is a torture.

The second play, The Lesson, is somewhat better, but it also has its own obsessions, such as the idea that philology is the destruction of the world, as Voltaire said, and that knowledge is the destruction of the people, etc. Logically, it wants to show the problem of the excessive scholasticism of education and the lack of a meaningful relationship and communication between the student and the teacher.

The Chairs is the most obvious example of the theater of the absurd that supports the futility of life and the existential void that is created in people.

All of these were not things that excited me or made me think.

The four plays included in the book are: The Bald Soprano, The Lesson, Jack or the Submission, and The Chairs.

The three stars are given inclusively for the latter. “The Chairs” can be regarded as an allegory representing the entire Ionescoean theatre, particularly when considering the present four plays. The Orator in “The Chairs” is none other than Ionesco himself, whom we, as the viewers, have been eagerly and anxiously waiting for. We have meticulously prepared the stage for the revelation of truth by the Ionesco-Orator. However, in the end, what we hear is the Orator's incomprehensible mumblings such as “mme, mm, mm. Ju, gou, hou, hou, heu, gu gou, gueue”, and finally a “ADIEU” which the Ionesco-Orator throws in our faces to宣告 the end of our waiting for some truth to be disclosed on the stage. There is simply nothing to be revealed. Ionesco is truly the master of depicting the failure of both life and drama.

We leave the theatre in shame, and on our way back, we accidentally stumble upon two dead old bodies. This unexpected encounter further adds to the sense of absurdity and disillusionment that pervades the entire experience.

In 201118, I have delved into a limited number of experimental plays, yet those I have encountered have been truly remarkable. Works like "Waiting for Godot," "Dumbwaiter," "Rhinoceros," and others have left a lasting impression. The reason I rate it a four is due to the variable nature of appreciation. I have a profound affection for plays such as "The Bald Soprano," "The Lesson," "Jack, or the Submission." However, "The Chairs" was perhaps a bit too abstract for my taste.

It's important to note that these are just plays on paper, and the true key to the art experience lies in witnessing a production. I'm eagerly anticipating seeing "Rhinoceros" at a certain venue soon. Some of these plays present very challenging acting requirements, like the imperceptible changes in "The Lesson." Therefore, the overall impact will heavily depend on how skillfully they are mounted on the stage.

Each play offers a unique world of exploration and interpretation, and I'm excited to see how these productions bring them to life and further expand my understanding and appreciation of experimental theater.

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"The Bald Soprano" by Eugene Ionesco is an incredibly thought-provoking and highly absurdist play. It boldly challenges the traditional notions of communication and identity that we often take for granted.

Set within a seemingly ordinary English household, the story gradually unfolds through a succession of nonsensical conversations and comical misunderstandings among the characters.

As the play advances, the audience is forcefully confronted with the sheer absurdity and emptiness that pervades everyday language. This revelation starkly shows the characters' profound inability to truly establish a genuine connection with one another.

Ionesco's play functions as a satirical critique of social conventions and the alarming breakdown of meaningful communication that is so prevalent in modern society.

Boasting its clever wordplay and unconventional narrative structure, "The Bald Soprano" emerges as a truly captivating exploration of the human condition and the inherent absurdity of our existence.

Absurdist Theater! Le Theatre Absurd!

This is my first foray into absurdist theater beyond Beckett. Ionesco has his own unique flavor to offer the madness. Definitely on the further end of the wackiness meter. Nothing is what it seems. No relationship is steady. No line needs sense. Nobody needs to be heard. No meaning needs to be apparent. People have three noses. Bark like dogs. Throw themselves from windows. All in the service of representing something true about human experience.

Reading through these plays at this point in my life, they didn't feel as distant as maybe Waiting for Godot felt when I first read it. The stylistic thread felt closer to now than ever before. While I was reading these plays, I was also rewatching Strangers with Candy, the Comedy Central dark comedy send up of after school specials from around the year 2000. Many of the same literary tricks are used. Non-sequiturs, the absence of traditional meaning in relationships, out of place actors perceived as normal, the breaking of the fourth wall, the twisting play of language and tropes.

In both creations, the distortions of the formats seem to communicate similar feelings. Alienation from traditional meaning, a mark of anti-authoritarianism, and anarchy of the medium.

Ionesco is so bold with what he's willing to put on stage. I would recommend The Bald Soprano to anybody and would absolutely love to see it happen in person. There's an explosive rhythm in the disarray of the climax. It still has power today as something challenging and bold.

According to the wiki, Ionesco toyed with a few different ideas of how the play should end, with the most notable one being that at the end of the play they should shoot machine guns at the audience. I mean c'mon. He should've just left it as a stage direction for the gag-factor.

Even when the plays themselves can be massively enjoyable, it started to get tough to read four plays in a row of non-sequiturs and miscommunications. I can understand the publisher's decision to group them. These four short plays barely make up a 160 page book. Sold on their own, they might as well be pamphlets. Also, there's no need to read them all back to back unless you're trying to hit your Goodreads book quota.

Theatre of the absurd has always held a special allure for me, and "The Bald Soprano" by Ionesco is a prime example of its brilliance. I absolutely adored this play; it was uproariously funny and completely captivating. The way it critiques the meaninglessness of human communication while playfully mocking the English language is truly masterful. Ionesco is such a talented playwright, and I can't help but admire her work.

"The Lesson" was also an interesting piece. At first, it had its humorous moments, but then it took a rather unexpected and wild turn. There was a murder involved, and I believe there was something else as well, although I can't quite remember at the moment. It was definitely a thought-provoking play that left me with a lot to think about.

"Jack or the Submission" was, well, absurd. I have to admit that I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I plan on reading some analyses of the play later to gain a better understanding. As for "The Chairs," I haven't read it yet, but I wanted to add it to my Goodreads list. I'm looking forward to delving into this play and seeing what it has in store for me. I'll be sure to edit this when I've finished reading it.

Theatre of the absurd never fails to surprise and delight me, and I can't wait to explore more of these unique and fascinating works.