"Exit the King" by Eugene Ionesco performed by the Contra Costa Christian High School Dramatic Arts Program at the Dean Lesher Center Knight Stage III on November 14-16, 2002, Walnut Creek CA.
When man is lost in the world, all his actions become senseless, absurd, useless Eugene Ionesco. Ionesco, whose other plays include Rhinoceros and The Bald Soprano, was given the auspicious title father of theater of the absurd. This non-realistic theatrical movement came to life in Europe at the middle of the 20th century and was heavily influenced by existential philosophy. During this time, playwrights experimented with breaking theatrical conventions (e.g., having characters aware of being in a play) in order to point out the comic chaos and absurdity of life. Other absurdist playwrights include Samuel Becket, Edward Albee, and Harold Pinter.
In Exit the King, Ionesco uses the character of King Berenger I as a portrait of both the extent and limitations of human accomplishment. His darkly humorous perspective on humanitys achievement is beautifully encapsulated by the line in Act II: A new wisdoms taking the place of the old, a stupidity and ignorance greater than before, different of course but still the same. Let that console you and rejoice your heart. This line inspired the vision for the play: set at the dawn of the European renaissance (c. 1492) with absurd anachronisms and a humorously heavy dose of gold, gild and glitter.
It is good for us to appreciate humanitys accomplishments and, in the same breath, recognize how fleeting and limited they are in relationship to Gods universe. As Ionesco beautifully articulates, when man is lost, he is senseless. When we know this, we will greater appreciate finding ourselves, and our importance, as a part of Gods plan. We will discover how much we need him to prevent our lives from being absurd. Robin Lynn Rodriguez, Director
When man is lost in the world, all his actions become senseless, absurd, useless Eugene Ionesco. Ionesco, whose other plays include Rhinoceros and The Bald Soprano, was given the auspicious title father of theater of the absurd. This non-realistic theatrical movement came to life in Europe at the middle of the 20th century and was heavily influenced by existential philosophy. During this time, playwrights experimented with breaking theatrical conventions (e.g., having characters aware of being in a play) in order to point out the comic chaos and absurdity of life. Other absurdist playwrights include Samuel Becket, Edward Albee, and Harold Pinter.
In Exit the King, Ionesco uses the character of King Berenger I as a portrait of both the extent and limitations of human accomplishment. His darkly humorous perspective on humanitys achievement is beautifully encapsulated by the line in Act II: A new wisdoms taking the place of the old, a stupidity and ignorance greater than before, different of course but still the same. Let that console you and rejoice your heart. This line inspired the vision for the play: set at the dawn of the European renaissance (c. 1492) with absurd anachronisms and a humorously heavy dose of gold, gild and glitter.
It is good for us to appreciate humanitys accomplishments and, in the same breath, recognize how fleeting and limited they are in relationship to Gods universe. As Ionesco beautifully articulates, when man is lost, he is senseless. When we know this, we will greater appreciate finding ourselves, and our importance, as a part of Gods plan. We will discover how much we need him to prevent our lives from being absurd. Robin Lynn Rodriguez, Director
Christiana George as Queen Marie, Second Wife
Christiana George as Queen Marie, Second Wife
Keywords: george
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