Decoding the Theater of the Absurd

This theatrical movement kicked off in the late 1940s, as humanity was grappling with the chaotic fallout of World War II and trying to make sense of their newly disjointed reality. Avant-garde playwrights decided to ditch traditional storytelling, instead writing and directing plays that created a sense of surrealism and absurdity.

The term was coined by critic Martin Esslin in his 1960 book “Theatre of the Absurd” to describe a new wave of plays that emerged in Europe in the 1940s and ’50s. These works were influenced by the existential philosophy of French writers Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. 

The Theater of the Absurd sees the world as inherently devoid of meaning, with humans illogically attempting to impose order and purpose on their existence. The movement gained momentum thanks to the bleak postwar atmosphere of the era, which led to widespread disillusionment with traditional values and beliefs.

The movement’s influence continues to permeate the modern theatrical landscape, leading playwrights to experiment with form and content and challenge audiences’ perception of reality.

Absurdism: It’s no surprise that this style isn’t about making sense, but rather poking fun at the irrationality of life itself. And let’s be real: Who hasn’t felt, at some point, that existence is one big joke?

Alienation: Characters often feel isolated and estranged from a world that’s wholly indifferent to their existence. 

Disorientation: This type of theater eschews linear timelines, conventional plots, and relatable characters, creating a pervasive feeling of uncertainty.

Failure to communicate: Disjointed dialogue and nonsensical language often leads to a total breakdown in understanding among a play’s characters.

Existentialism: There’s a method to the madness: The Theater of the Absurd invites viewers to question what it means to be human in a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control. 

Watch this clip from Samuel Beckett’s iconic absurdist tragicomedy “Waiting for Godot” to get a sense of the genre’s style:

• “No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre (1944)

This work by prominent French existentialist Sartre introduces three characters who are doomed to spend eternity together in a small room in Hell. Their torment comes not from physical torture, but from their toxic interactions, leading one character to speak the famous line: “Hell is other people.” 

First performed in 1944 at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier during the German occupation of Paris, “No Exit” is a profound commentary on freedom and responsibility. The play has been widely performed across the world; its themes of existential angst and moral ambiguity make it a timeless piece.

• “The Bald Soprano” by Eugène Ionesco (1950)

This farce undermines the conventions of everyday conversation, depicting a dinner party where communication breaks down into nonsensical babbling. Ionesco’s play is a critique of the banality and emptiness of bourgeois life that highlights the superficiality of societal norms. Its premiere at the Théâtre des Noctambules in Paris marked the beginning of Ionesco’s influential career in absurdist theater. Since then, the play has been continuously performed across the globe.

• “The Lesson” by Ionesco (1951)

This one-act unfolds in the office of a tyrannical professor as he gives a private lesson to a young student. The story escalates until it reaches a bizarre, violent climax that symbolizes the oppressive education system and highlights the dangers of power and submission. 

“The Lesson” reflects post–World War II anxieties about the loss of individual freedom under authoritarian regimes and critiques the mechanisms of power, which can be abused even in such a seemingly benign setting. Ionesco’s play has been a staple of avant-garde and experimental theater groups ever since, celebrated for its minimalist setting and intense, claustrophobic atmosphere.

• “The Chairs” by Ionesco (1952)

In this piece, an elderly couple prepares a room full of chairs for a series of invisible guests attending a lecture by a nonexistent orator, ultimately revealing the emptiness of their existence. “The Chairs” addresses themes of isolation, the irrelevance of human existence, and the impossibility of trying to impart meaning where there is none. The play’s rich use of metaphor and its impactful silent ending have made it a staple on stages worldwide, including in community theaters, celebrated for its deep existential inquiry.

• “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett (1953)

This iconic play revolves around two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait by a barren tree for the arrival of a mysterious figure named Godot. To pass the time, the two engage in a series of comical, poignant exchanges to distract themselves from the hopelessness of their predicament.

“Waiting for Godot” reflects the postwar existentialist ethos, capturing the sense of disillusionment and search for meaning across battle-ravaged Europe. Actors from Robin Williams and Steve Martin to Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart have brought Vladimir and Estragon to life in countless productions since.

• “Endgame” by Beckett (1957)

Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, “Endgame” features Hamm, a blind man who cannot stand up; his servant, Clov, who cannot sit; and Hamm’s legless parents, who live in trash bins. The play delves into the circular nature of existence and the inevitability of death, conveyed through dialogue replete with dark humor and poignant silences. 

“Endgame” can be viewed as a metaphor for the existential dread of the Cold War era and the fear of nuclear annihilation. It evokes Beckett’s fascination with the despair and resilience of humanity. Michael Gambon and Lee Evans delivered compelling performances in a 2004 production at the Albery Theatre in London that showcased the play’s bleak comedy and existential depths.

• “Rhinoceros” by Ionesco (1959)

Ionesco’s story about the inhabitants of a small town transforming into rhinoceroses is an allegory for conformity under totalitarianism. The protagonist, Bérenger, is the only one who resists the change, symbolizing the struggle of the individual against mass ideology. The piece is a direct response to the rise of fascism and communism in Europe, epitomizing Ionesco’s concern with the fragility of individual thought and the ease with which society can succumb to barbarism. A notable 1961 Broadway production starring Zero Mostel, Eli Wallach, and Jean Stapleton won critical acclaim for its satirical edge and absurdist humor.

• “The Dictator” by Issam Mahfouz (1969)

This Lebanese playwright paints a hyperbolic, claustrophobic picture of man’s delusions of grandeur. The story follows the General and Saadoun, two men trapped together in a room as they plot a political revolution. But the General’s use of propaganda and ability to manipulate language convinces Saadoun that he is actually meant to bring salvation to the world through death. 

The play demonstrates the absurdity of unchecked power and the existential struggles of those living under authoritarianism. Since its 1969 premiere in Beirut, “The Dictator” has become a vital entry in the Arabic theatrical canon. 

• “Fefu and Her Friends” by María Irene Fornés (1977)

In this seminal work of absurdist, feminist theater, Cuban American playwright Fornés challenges conventional narrative structure, social norms, and gender roles, all while exploring the absurdity of being human. 

The story initially seems straightforward, as a group of women gather at the titular character’s house to rehearse a charity presentation. But things take a turn for the surreal when the play dissolves into nonlinear storytelling and fragmented dialogue, creating an overwhelming feeling of disorientation. When “Fefu” premiered in 1977, it earned acclaim for its revolutionary staging and use of an all-female cast.