The Chairs
Chairs, The (Les Chaises) Author: Eugène Ionesco
First Performance: 1952, Paris
Published: 1954
First English Translation: 1958
Genre: Tragicom. in 1 act; French prose
Setting: Room in a tower surrounded by water, indeterminate period
Cast: 2m, 1f
A senile ‘quartermaster-general’ and his equally ancient wife Sémiramis are preparing a large room in a tower for many visitors, who are coming by water to hear the Old Man reveal his message to all humanity. The first arrival is a Lady, with whom they converse, but who is entirely invisible. As each new invisible visitor arrives, a chair is brought. Next is a Colonel, followed by a Photographer and his wife, a former sweetheart of the Old Man. While the Old Man reminisces about her, the Old Woman obscenely re-enacts some of the poses she...
[The entire page is 340 words long]
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