How absurdist theatre is an act of resistance

The Bald Soprano, by Eugène Ionesco, is a seminal work of absurdist theatre that critiques the meaninglessness of modern communication. The play depicts two middle-class English couples, the Smiths and the Martins, engaging in banal and illogical conversations. Language devolves into nonsensical exchanges, highlighting the breakdown of meaningful dialogue and social interaction. Ionesco uses repetitive phrases, clichés, and contradictory statements to expose the emptiness and artificiality of everyday language. The absence of a traditional plot and the disintegration of language reflect a chaotic and indifferent world. The play challenges audiences to question the nature of communication and the absurdity of human existence.

Written in 1959, 'Rhinoceros' is a satirical play that explores themes of totalitarianism, dehumanization, and the loss of individual identity. The story begins with the sudden appearance of a rhinoceros in a small provincial French village, leading to a series of events where the townspeople gradually transform into rhinoceroses. The main character, Bérenger, struggles to maintain his integrity and identity as he watches his friends and acquaintances succumb to this bizarre transformation. The play is often interpreted as a commentary on the rise of fascist and totalitarian regimes, drawing from Ionesco's experiences with Nazism and other authoritarian systems.