Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
27(27%)
3 stars
40(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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The Bald Soprano has a score of 4/5.

The Lesson is rated 5/5.

Jack, or the Submission gets a 2/5.

The Chairs has a rating of 3.5/5, because I can.

These works present interesting stuff about the futility of language and the pressure (and emptiness) of conformity.

The Lesson is by far my favorite. It goes beyond its absurdists trappings to tackle misogyny in the 1950s.

It's a lot to read all at once, but it certainly offers a different idea of what theater can do.

It makes us think about the power and limitations of language, the expectations of society, and the treatment of women in a particular era.

Each of these plays has its own unique charm and message, and together they form a fascinating exploration of the human condition and the possibilities of theater.

Whether you're a fan of absurdism or just looking for something different to read, these plays are definitely worth checking out.
July 15,2025
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\\n  The Bald Soprano\\n ☆☆☆☆


This is an absurdist play that delves into the futility of language. It is inspired by the nonsensical examples found in textbooks for learning languages. I vividly remember loving this play the very first time I read it several years ago. And to my great delight, I found myself enjoying it just as much this time around. (“Rather a steak in a chalet than gristle in a castle.” Pretty sure that's the only thing in this play that makes sense.)


\\n  The Lesson\\n ☆☆☆


The true essence of this play lies in the lesson that philology can lead to calamity. It makes one ponder over the power and consequences of language and its study.


\\n  Jack or The Submission\\n ☆☆☆


This play seems to convey the message that one should not settle for anything less than three noses. It's a rather strange and thought-provoking concept that makes you wonder about the deeper meanings hidden within.


\\n  The Chairs\\n ☆☆½


This is a tragic play that features an old couple and a plethora of chairs. It was my least favorite play in this collection, mainly because the first half felt a bit of a drag. However, it's important to note that as is typical with Ionesco's plays, the ending was still quite impactful. It left me with a sense of melancholy and a lot to think about regarding the nature of life, aging, and the passage of time. I would definitely much rather see a performance of this play than read it, as I believe that would bring out its true essence and power.
July 15,2025
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The Bald Soprano: 5 stars.

This play, "The Bald Soprano," truly deserves a full five-star rating. It is a remarkable piece of theater that captivates the audience from start to finish. The unique and absurd nature of the story keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, constantly surprised by the unexpected twists and turns. The characters are well-developed and brought to life by the talented cast. The dialogue is sharp and充满了机智和幽默, adding to the overall charm of the play.



The Lesson: 1/2 star.

On the other hand, "The Lesson" fails to live up to expectations. With only a half-star rating, it falls short in many aspects. The story lacks coherence and fails to engage the audience on a deeper level. The characters seem one-dimensional and缺乏个性, making it difficult for viewers to connect with them. The pacing of the play is also off, with some scenes dragging on while others feel rushed. Overall, "The Lesson" is a disappointment and fails to leave a lasting impression.



Reviews to follow for each play in this collection upon completion.

As we continue to explore this collection of plays, we look forward to providing in-depth reviews for each one. Stay tuned for more insights and evaluations as we uncover the strengths and weaknesses of each theatrical offering.

July 15,2025
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Mæli eindregið með sköllóttu söngkonunni, eitt af mínum uppáhalds leikritum.

This musical has always held a special place in my heart. The story is engaging and full of emotions. The characters are well-developed and their relationships add depth to the plot.

The music in the sköllóttu söngkonunni is simply amazing. The melodies are catchy and stay with you long after the show is over. The lyrics are meaningful and enhance the overall experience.

Every time I watch this musical, I am transported to a different world. I laugh, I cry, and I am completely immersed in the story. It has the power to touch my soul and make me feel a range of emotions.

In conclusion, the sköllóttu söngkonunni is not just a musical, but a work of art that I will always cherish. It is a must-see for anyone who loves music, theater, or a good story.
July 15,2025
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Ionesco's work might be the greatest troll against the ignorant meanings and all those who are full of certainties about themselves and the world around them, those who waste words and all those who, ignoring the absurdity of existence, continue to insist on mechanicalness, futility, and vulgarity.

It pleasantly surprised me. It is a work that requires a little preliminary work to appreciate.

Perhaps Ionesco, with this work, is presenting a powerful critique of the human condition. The characters and their actions seem to highlight the absurdity and meaninglessness that often pervade our lives.

The play forces us to question our own beliefs and certainties, and to recognize the limitations of our understanding. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and see the deeper truths that lie beneath.

Overall, Ionesco's work is a thought-provoking and engaging piece that invites us to reflect on the nature of existence and our place in the world.
July 15,2025
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Quality is of utmost importance in every aspect of our lives.

Whether it is the products we consume, the services we receive, or the work we do ourselves, quality determines the level of satisfaction and success.

High-quality products are reliable, durable, and perform well, providing us with long-term value.

Similarly, high-quality services are efficient, professional, and meet our specific needs.

When it comes to our own work, striving for quality means paying attention to detail, being thorough, and continuously improving.

It also means taking pride in what we do and delivering our best effort every time.

In conclusion, quality is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental principle that should guide our actions and decisions.

By focusing on quality, we can enhance our reputation, build stronger relationships, and achieve greater success in all areas of our lives.
July 15,2025
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The humor presented in these works is truly ridiculous and funny. However, after reading "The Lesson", it starts to feel a bit excessive.

I delved into "The Bald Soprano" for my drama studies, and it was absolutely hilarious. The absurdity and unexpected twists had me in stitches.

Subsequently, I read "The Lesson", which was almost as entertaining. The comical situations and dialogues kept me engaged.

But when I began the last two plays, "Jack and the Submission" and "The Chairs", my opinion changed. I found the first one to be overly exaggerated and the second one rather boring. As a result, I didn't manage to finish those two.

There's no doubt that it's a form of funny British humor. It's quite challenging to rate it higher when I only liked half of the plays. Nevertheless, I truly LOVED the plays that I did enjoy. They brought a lot of laughter and entertainment to my reading experience.

Overall, while there were some hits and misses, the humorous elements in these plays did manage to leave an impression.
July 15,2025
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"Not My Cup of Tea"

Some things in life are just not to our taste. They may seem interesting or appealing to others, but for us, they simply don't click. It could be a particular type of food, a genre of music, a hobby, or even a person.

When something is not my cup of tea, I don't force myself to like it. I believe in following my own interests and preferences. There are so many wonderful things in the world to explore and enjoy, and I'd rather focus on those that truly bring me joy and satisfaction.

Just because something is popular or widely regarded doesn't mean it has to be for me. Everyone has their own unique tastes and styles, and that's what makes the world such a diverse and interesting place. So, the next time you come across something that's not your cup of tea, don't worry. There's bound to be something else out there that is.
July 15,2025
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Probably this is not my cup of tea! It seems that I just don't have the interest or inclination towards this particular thing. Maybe it's too complicated, or perhaps it simply doesn't appeal to my tastes. Whatever the reason, I can't help but feel a bit out of place. BOUNCER! he he :-D It's as if I'm looking for an escape route, a way to get out of this situation that doesn't quite suit me. But then again, there's a certain playfulness in my attitude, as indicated by the "he he :-D" at the end. It shows that while I may not be enjoying this moment, I'm not taking it too seriously either. I'm just having a bit of fun with the idea that this isn't for me and maybe I need a bouncer to show me the way out.

July 15,2025
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Absurd, (deliberately) confusing and yet emotionally evocative — but mostly in a disturbing way. It's truly a perplexing combination. I can't help but wonder if watching these plays being performed would make them more meaningful. The dialogue alone seems to often obfuscate the meaning, making it difficult to grasp at first glance. However, it would not be fair to call the works devoid of meaning. Instead, I felt as if I was being pushed to fill in the gaps myself. It's a unique experience that forces the audience to engage on a deeper level. Perhaps through this process of interpretation and exploration, a new understanding of the plays can be achieved. It's an invitation to look beyond the surface and discover the hidden layers of meaning that lie beneath.

July 15,2025
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The Bald Soprano is perhaps the most uproariously hilarious sample of writing I have ever had the pleasure to witness. It is absolutely rife with non-sequitur and extreme linguistic skepticism. As I was engrossed in reading this play all alone in my room, I found myself bursting out into uncontrolled laughter on multiple occasions.

After the initial hilarity subsided, I was able to observe the clever and biting criticism of language that is manifest in cliche and proverb. The characters engage in an all-out martyrdom to keep the conversation afloat and come off as witty in the end. Mrs. Smith exclaims, "I believe we have spend a Cartesian quarter of an hour here," depending on the socially successful stream of nonsense comprising their finished conversation to prove her and their existence.

For Ionesco, it seems, language has become something entirely different from communication. It is now simply rock and dirt that people throw at each other like physical objects. The play concludes with everyone shouting words continuously and incoherently, playing off each other's screams, stringing together words simply by sound and alliteration rather than by idea or meaning.

Every character in the play is more or less interchangeable with the others. At the end of the play, one couple actually takes the place of the other and the play begins anew, signifying that this is an undying pattern in which everyone plays and merely takes the place of the people in the seats before them. One episode of the play has the husband and wife Martin enter the scene and engage in a tiresome dialogue as they try to remember why or how they recognize each other. They trace back the events of the last few weeks and find it a jolly coincidence that they, in fact, sleep in the same bed and even share the same daughter. The implication is that the characters are so invisible that husband and wife cannot even recognize each other, but can only assume affiliation based on physical juxtaposition in the world.

The nonsense reaches a climax when the Fire chief makes a meaningless reference to "the bald soprano" which no one could possibly understand. Mrs. Smith then replies with an inconceivable joke to wade through the impossible reference, saying, "she always wore her hair the same way."

The other notable play in this volume is The Chairs. In this play, an old man and woman are preparing for a large party at which the man is to give his entire personal philosophy through a hired orator to a crowd of distinguished persons. The guests arrive and the old couple speak to them warmly and gratefully, though all the guests are invisible. Finally, the Emperor, a sort of god-figure perhaps, shows up and the old man is pleased into resignation that the emperor will hear his life's culmination of thoughts. The orator soon appears as well, yet he is real. After he appears, the old couple jump out windows on opposite sides of the room into the river, a cool double suicide, being satisfied with the assurance that the orator will deliver to the people the old man's thoughts of significance, his existential casebook. Yet once they exit, the orator attempts to speak to the invisible, probably absent, audience. However, he is mute and deaf and is unable to convey a shred of meaning. He writes a bit of nonsense on the blackboard and, seeing that his audience failed to understand, wrote, in lightly cryptic text, adieu dieu: goodbye god.

It is a terribly depressing end for the old couple to kill themselves off with such blissful assurance that their lives were meaningful. The man believed that a fine audience would behold his philosophical significance and the wife believed that she could love and be with him during his last success. Yet the inane orator and absent crowd completely blacken the final hopes and dreams of the elderly couple and imply that their lives were, in fact, meaningless, and that they are allowed no final defense of themselves, for the hearing was canceled, no one attended, not even the emperor.
July 15,2025
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I've recently come across a Sherlock Holmes story that has truly captivated me. It was an absolute delight to read. The plot was filled with mystery and intrigue, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters were well-developed, and Sherlock Holmes himself was as brilliant and observant as ever. His deductions and reasoning skills were simply astounding. The story also had several unexpected twists and turns that added to its overall charm. I found myself completely immersed in the world of Sherlock Holmes and his adventures. It's been a while since I've read a story that has had such an impact on me. I would highly recommend this particular Sherlock Holmes story to any fan of the genre. It's a must-read for anyone who loves mystery and detective stories.

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