Characters Discussed
Irma
Irma, called The Queen, the proprietress of the Grand Balcony, a brothel specializing in role-playing games. Approximately forty years old, she wears severe clothing and jewelry that reflect her bent for business matters and the riches they bring. Predisposed to calling her wealthy customers “visitors” instead of “clients,” she fears a workers’ revolt that would threaten her establishment. Although she appears to have some genuine affection for one of her employees, Carmen, as well as for the Chief of Police, George, her good standing with them seems largely predicated on their usefulness to her. In scene 8, she becomes The Queen, wearing an ermine cloak and, on her brow, a diadem.
The Chief of Police
The Chief of Police, a man named George, a cigar smoker who wears a heavy fur-lined coat and hat. He wishes that “Chief of Police” would become one of the figures portrayed at the Grand Balcony. A politically ambitious freemason, he dreams of being enshrined in a tomb by the subjects of an empire he aspires to command. In scene 8, he becomes The Hero; later in the play, he seems to have achieved his goals. It is also revealed that he wears a toupee.
The Bishop
The Bishop and
The Judge
The Judge, clients at the Grand Balcony who first appear in versions of their customary garb, wearing garish makeup, twenty-inch tragedian’s cothurni, and other accoutrements that make them seem unusually large. Later in the play, they appear to have actually assumed their roles in Irma’s regime.
The General
The General, another client, a retiring-looking gentlemen who is first shown being dressed in a complete general’s uniform by The Girl, an employee of the Grand Balcony. He, too, appears to assume his role in Irma’s government.
Carmen
Carmen, an employee, favored by Irma, who is in charge of bookkeeping at the Grand Balcony. Possibly the daughter of a cavalry colonel, she talks of bringing toys and perfumes to her own daughter, who lives at a nursery in the country. Proud of her skills, she is particularly attracted to playing female saints and other religious heroines. She uses her familiarity with clients and other employees to spy for Irma.
Chantal
Chantal, a former employee who has left the Grand Balcony to join her lover, Roger. Her acting ability is coveted by the revolutionaries, who desire a fiery woman who will inspire their followers. She leaves Roger’s side to join them, only to be assassinated in a plot devised by The Bishop.
Roger
Roger, Chantal’s lover, who admires her spirit but also wishes to control her. After her death, he becomes the first client at the Grand Balcony to play the role of Chief of Police. Interrupting the fantasy by asking Carmen if she knew Chantal, he then appears to castrate himself.
The Executioner
The Executioner, a man named Arthur, a physically intimidating employee of the Grand Balcony who helps enact The Judge’s fantasy. At heart a retiring soul who clings to the security of his job and his sycophantic relationship with Irma, he is shot in the head at the end of scene 5.
The Envoy
The Envoy, who wears an embassy uniform styled as a tunic and speaks enigmatically of The Queen in his first appearance in scene 7. Unaffected by the revolt, he advises Irma on matters of state once she assumes the role of The Queen.
The Man
The Man, a nervous and sloppily dressed client who stands before three mirrors as he awaits the whip and louse-infested wig that are his costume props. His reflections are played by three actors....
(This entire section contains 708 words.)
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As The Beggar, he cries “Long Live the Queen” in scene 8; as The Slave, he partakes in Roger’s fantasy at the Grand Balcony.
The Woman
The Woman, also called Rosine, The Penitent,
The Thief
The Thief, and
The Girl
The Girl, young female employees who interact with The Bishop, The Judge, and The General and The Man, respectively.
Three Men with Machine-Guns
Three Men with Machine-Guns, rebels who lead Chantal away from Roger in scene 6.
Three Photographers
Three Photographers, earnest young men dressed in black leather jackets and blue jeans who take profile shots of The Bishop, The General, and The Judge in act 7.
Characters
Last Updated September 2, 2024.
Arthur
Arthur, also known as The Executioner, works at the brothel, fulfilling various
roles in the fantasies of male clients. Irma was compelled to hire him by
George, the Chief of Police. Initially hesitant, she eventually grew to depend
on him. Arthur is driven purely by self-interest and the pursuit of money. He
searches for George on Irma's behalf only because she promises to pay him for
the silk shirts he has ordered. Although Arthur survives the street rebellion,
he is tragically killed by a stray bullet upon returning to the Grand Balcony.
His body is laid out in the Funeral Studio within the brothel.
The Bishop
The Bishop is one of the patrons at the Grand Balcony. He is not a real bishop
but a client who acts out this role in his fantasies. As a patron, he is
meticulous, ensuring every detail of his fantasy is perfect and worrying about
his survival once he leaves. Later, when Irma, at the Envoy's request, pretends
to be the Queen to maintain public loyalty, the Bishop briefly assumes his role
for real. He relishes the power it brings, despite being completely unprepared.
Irma dismisses him when the Chief of Police decides to entomb himself and the
revolution intensifies.
Carmen
Carmen is Irma’s most loyal and favored employee. She used to work as a
prostitute in the brothel but now manages the books and helps set up the
studios for clients' fantasies. Carmen understands the emptiness of the
fantasies and can no longer partake in them, even when Irma offers her a
prestigious assignment. She has a daughter living in the countryside whom she
longs to see but cannot. Carmen remains at the Grand Balcony until the very
end, even after it is bombed and the Chief of Police locks himself away. She
views the brothel as her destined place in life.
Chantal
Chantal once worked as a prostitute at the Grand Balcony before leaving with
Roger to join the rebellion. She and Roger became lovers. By scene six, it is
revealed that she has become a symbol of the revolution. Despite Roger's
objections, Chantal is chosen to represent the movement and accompanies some
men to witness the fall of the Royal Palace. Later, Chantal is assassinated at
the Grand Balcony while Irma appears as the Queen on the brothel’s balcony. In
death, Chantal is turned into a martyr and saint for Irma as Queen.
Chief of Police
The Chief of Police, known as George, is both Irma's lover and protector. He is
quite self-centered, primarily focused on boosting his own power and status.
While he does take measures to ensure the safety of the Grand Balcony, he is
mostly distressed throughout the play because no one at the brothel wants to
portray him. To George, this represents the ultimate validation of his
prestige. He even has Irma construct a tomb for him, a prominent symbol of
honor befitting the conqueror he dreams of becoming.
George plays a crucial role in quelling the rebellion, although he is irritated that Irma, acting as the Queen, holds a higher status than him. He is further annoyed by the men who play the Judge, the General, and the Bishop, as they take their roles too seriously even when forced to enact them in real life. These characters undermine his "more real" power. When Roger arrives and requests to play the Chief of Police, George feels content, despite Roger castrating himself in the end. George then decides to seal himself in his tomb for 2,000 years as the revolution reignites.
The Court Envoy
A complex character, the Envoy appears in Scene Seven, cryptically describing
the state of affairs in the Royal Palace. It eventually becomes evident that
the Queen is dead, and the Envoy con-
The ExecutionerSee Arthur
The General
The General is one of the patrons at the Grand Balcony. He isn't an actual
general but a customer who assumes the role in his fantasy. As a client, the
General attempts to take control but is very self-absorbed and pompous. Later,
at the Envoy's request, when Irma plays the Queen, the General temporarily
assumes his role for real. He relishes the power but fails to act as a true
general would. Irma dismisses him when the Chief of Police decides to entomb
himself and the revolution flares up again.
GeorgeSee Chief of Police
Irma
Irma, also known as The Queen, owns and manages the brothel, The Grand Balcony.
She is primarily a businesswoman, focused on minimizing costs while keeping her
clients satisfied. Irma is rather indifferent to the emotions of her employees,
as long as they are physically capable of performing their duties. Her favorite
employee is Carmen, who used to be a prostitute but now handles bookkeeping and
various details. Carmen is a valuable source of information and a dependable
ally for Irma.
Irma grows increasingly anxious about the violent revolution occurring in the streets. She fears it will impact her business, if not shut it down completely. George, the Chief of Police and her lover, assures her he will protect both her and her establishment, but despite his promises, employees are killed, and the Grand Balcony suffers damage.
Following the Queen's death, the Court Envoy requests Irma to assume the role of the Queen to placate the public. She accepts the role, and some of her clients persist in their high-status fantasies. Although this temporarily subdues the rebellion, it soon resurfaces. After the Chief of Police decides to entomb himself, Irma recognizes the end of this charade and closes the brothel, planning to reopen it later.
The Judge
The Judge is a patron at the Grand Balcony. Although not a real judge, he
indulges in the fantasy of being one. As a client, he is deeply immersed in his
role, sometimes frightening the prostitute who plays the thief. The ongoing
revolution weighs on his mind. When Irma takes on the role of the Queen, the
Judge briefly assumes his role in earnest. He relishes the power but feels
insecure and confused. Irma dismisses him when the Chief of Police entombs
himself and the revolution intensifies.
The QueenSee Irma
Roger
Roger once worked as a plumber at the Grand Balcony and became involved with
Chantal. Now part of the revolution, he supports the cause but does not want
Chantal to become its main symbol. After her assassination and the temporary
suppression of the rebellion, Roger returns to the Grand Balcony. He desires to
play the Chief of Police in his fantasy. However, he struggles with the role,
unsure of how to act. When Carmen declares the fantasy over, Roger refuses to
stop and leave. He wants his fate and that of the Chief of Police to be linked.
Roger castrates himself and is forcefully removed by Carmen.