I only read The Bald Soprano from this collection, and it was sufficient.

Dear Friends,

I firmly believe, yes, I truly believe that this is the final time I'll have to inundate your feeds with negative play reviews. The coronavirus, along with other factors, has abbreviated my Modern Theatre class, and I no longer have to endure reading any more dreadful plays (HURRAH! I've been longing to say this for so long!).

The Bald Soprano, although by no means an "enjoyable" read in any sense of the imagination, was surely not the worst among the lot of absolute drivel we had to peruse. I dare say it was even a touch humorous, to the extent that absurdity can be amusing. What kindled a spark of appreciation for it in me was the fact that Ionesco was inspired to pen this play from using textbooks to learn a second language.

It transported me back to German class, where we had such a silly textbook filled with unrealistic scenarios and conversations that no real human would ever have, yet were intended to teach you how to "properly" speak the language.

Knowing that The Bald Soprano was, in a way, a parody of a textbook made it a little more entertaining, and I could appreciate it for what it is without necessarily having liked it.

Some parts were indeed funny. I let out a chuckle. Out loud.

But it's also just a jumble of nonsense that serves no purpose, and we all have better things to do and read than this ;)

MODERN THEATRE, OUT!

Likely the strangest thing I've ever read. It was truly mind-boggling. I couldn't help but laugh, not only out of sheer absurdity but also because I was doing a reading with some very confused people who were taking it entirely too seriously. In my opinion, it's incredibly overhyped. It's like slamming your head on the keyboard and then allowing Autocorrect to write a play for you. I'm really not sure why it's so popular to produce. Maybe it's because of the low budget. But one thing is for sure, it's definitely not something to be read when you're lacking sleep or caffeine. Your patience will run thin very quickly. You'll find yourself struggling to make sense of it all. It's a strange and rather puzzling piece of work that leaves you scratching your head and wondering what on earth the author was thinking.

My French teacher had us recreate this play in high school.

It was truly an unforgettable experience.

The process of recreating the play was filled with excitement and challenges.

We had to study the original play carefully, understand the characters and their motives, and then bring them to life on stage.

There were many hours of rehearsals, during which we worked hard to perfect our lines, our expressions, and our movements.

But it was all worth it in the end, as we were able to put on a great performance that was enjoyed by our classmates and teachers.

Looking back on it now, I realize that this experience not only improved my French language skills, but also taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of hard work.

It was truly one heck of a ride that I will always remember.

It was a bit of a struggle to make it through this novel.

Personally, there were moments when I felt as if I was reading complete nonsense.

However, Ionesco's way of mocking the absurdity of specific societal structures is truly remarkable.

He does it in such a powerful and impactful manner that I couldn't help but love it.

His work forces us to question the norms and values that we often take for granted.

It makes us realize how strange and illogical some aspects of our society can be.

Although the novel may be challenging to understand at times, it is well worth the effort.

It offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the world we live in.

Overall, Ionesco's work is a testament to the power of literature to make us think and see the world in a different light.

These four plays of Ionesco, which are among the very first ones he wrote, already reveal his preoccupation with themes that will engage him throughout his career in the theatre.

These themes include the futility of language, the terror of ideological conformity, and theorizing about the play within the framework of the play itself. This volume encompasses “The Bald Soprano,” “The Lesson,” “Jack; Or, The Submission,” and “The Chairs.” Needless to say, providing a summary, to the extent that one could even be derived, would go against the spirit of absurdism in general. After all, the plots are not the most captivating aspects of the plays.

Ionesco conceived the idea for “The Bald Soprano” while attempting to learn the Assimil method. His textbook featured two characters, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (who also appear in his play), and despite being married, they feel compelled to describe each other's physical appearance and inform each other that they are both English, as if this were truly new information. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the embodiment of the English bourgeois, speaking in stock phrases and clichés that are so overused as to be devoid of any meaning. The dialogue between the characters showcases a discursiveness that points to the emptiness and futility of language, as well as the hopelessness of communication.

Ionesco describes “The Lesson” as a “comic drama,” yet I found it difficult to identify anything comic in it. In this play, he tackles the subject of authoritarianism as a professor of philology (which “always turns into calamity,” according to his maid) mercilessly lectures a female student. When she proves unable to understand much of the material, he becomes increasingly violent, and the student ultimately ends up dead. At the very end of the play, we learn that she is the professor's fortieth victim, and another one is walking through the door. So much for the victory of Reason.

Unlike the work of other absurdists, such as Beckett, Ionesco's plays are flamboyant, filled with lively dialogue, and never introspective or contemplative, although many of Ionesco's themes are also shared by Beckett. The narrativity of drama, or the lack thereof, or even the possibility thereof, is a subject explored in both of their works.

At least for me, these plays are enjoyable, but only in small amounts. The constant litany of illogical non sequiturs and the effort to keep track of all the characters with similar names can become somewhat taxing and irritating if one is exposed to them for too long. Nevertheless, these plays have aged remarkably well and remain one of the best introductions to the Theatre of the Absurd for those who are new to it.

I have a deep and profound love for Ionesco and the plays he penned for "the theatre of the absurd."

Ionesco's works are truly a unique and captivating exploration of the human condition. His plays often break free from the traditional norms of narrative and structure, presenting a world that is both chaotic and yet strangely familiar.

The characters in his plays are often ordinary people thrust into extraordinary and often absurd situations. Through their experiences, Ionesco challenges our perceptions of reality and forces us to question the meaning and purpose of our own lives.

One of the things I love most about Ionesco's plays is the way he uses language. His dialogue is often fragmented, nonsensical, and yet at the same time, it can be incredibly powerful and evocative.

In conclusion, Ionesco's plays for "the theatre of the absurd" are a testament to his genius as a playwright. They continue to inspire and challenge audiences today, and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so for many years to come.

It's truly funny how it has always felt like the end of the world. We often find ourselves in situations where we think that everything is going wrong and there's no way out. But in reality, these moments are just temporary.

We tend to overreact and magnify the problems in our minds, making them seem much bigger than they actually are. It's as if we put on a pair of glasses that distort our perception and make us believe that the world is coming to an end.

However, if we take a step back and look at the situation objectively, we'll realize that there's always a solution. There's always a way to move forward and overcome the obstacles. So, the next time you feel like it's the end of the world, remember to stay calm, take a deep breath, and look for the silver lining.

Because in the grand scheme of things, these moments are just blips on the radar. And before you know it, you'll look back and laugh at how worried you were.

Absolutely, our existence! <3

Our existence is an absolute wonder. It is filled with countless possibilities and experiences. We have the ability to love, to dream, and to create. Every moment of our lives is precious and should be cherished. We are constantly evolving and growing, learning from our mistakes and building on our successes. Our existence gives meaning to the world around us and allows us to make a difference in the lives of others. We should be proud of who we are and what we have accomplished. Let us continue to embrace our existence with open hearts and minds, and strive to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.

Absolutely, our existence is a beautiful thing! <3

A Nonsense Play: "The Bald Soprano"

"The Bald Soprano" is a truly unique and captivating nonsense play. In this work, two couples, along with their maid and a fire chief, engage in a complex web of absurd and seemingly meaningless stories. The only line that stands out and interrupts the flow of jibberish is "The Bald Soprano" itself, which manages to elicit a reaction from the audience.

As an exception among these kinds of experimental plays, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the flow of this one. The relationships between the two couples, the maid, and the fire chief are constantly evolving and revolving around each other. In the end, they even change roles, adding an extra layer of confusion and interest. The movement and interactions in the play felt like a mirror image of our own often meaningless back and forth in life.

I was truly intrigued by this play and would highly recommend it to others who are looking for something different and thought-provoking. It challenges our perceptions of what a play can be and forces us to question the meaning and significance of the stories we tell and the roles we play.

I'm truly glad that absurdism paved the way for future revolutions in the realm of comedy. It has brought about a new and unique style that has had a significant impact on the world of entertainment.

However, this particular form of comedy was not to my personal taste. I found it difficult to fully appreciate and connect with the absurd and often chaotic nature of the works.

That being said, I firmly believe that we do a great disservice to comedies when we simply read them rather than actually seeing them performed live. The energy, the expressions, and the overall atmosphere that a live performance can create are essential elements in truly understanding and enjoying a comedy.

So, perhaps there is still hope for me to change my mind about Ionesco and his works. If I have the opportunity to see his plays performed live, I might gain a new perspective and finally be able to see the brilliance and humor that others have discovered in his absurdist creations.

Until then, I will continue to explore different forms of comedy and keep an open mind, always willing to give new styles and artists a chance.

Shouts out all the electrocutioners.

I probably have a greater affinity for the bald soprano and chairs compared to the other two. I really liked the part where the maid was depicted as Sherlock Holmes.

One has to respect the guy for going into that goofy mode. However, at times, he seems to take it a bit too far. It's like he gets so caught up in that zany state that he loses a sense of balance. But still, there's something about his eccentricity that keeps one engaged. Maybe it's the unexpectedness of it all. It makes you wonder what he'll do or say next. It's a bit of a wild ride, but in a strange way, it's also quite entertaining.

Overall, while there are aspects that might seem a bit over the top, there's no denying the charm and uniqueness that comes with his goofy mode.

This is yet another play belonging to the genre of "Theater of the Absurd".

I not only read it but also witnessed its live performance by an extremely talented theater troupe a long, long time ago.

Here, I don't intend to disclose the whole plot of this play. However, "A-E-I-O-U" holds great significance in the dialogue and also reveals how Eugene Ionesco might perceive society at times.

I highly recommend reading this play along with other works by Eugene Ionesco.

You might just discover that you are seeing and relishing life with all of its absurdities. LOL!

By exploring his plays, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and the strange and often illogical aspects of our world.

Theater of the Absurd challenges our conventional thinking and makes us question the norms and values that we take for granted.

It offers a unique perspective on life and can be a truly eye-opening and entertaining experience.

So, don't hesitate to pick up a play by Eugene Ionesco and embark on a journey into the world of the absurd.