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Ionesco Links - one of the most important figures in the history of avant garde theatre
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THE LEADER
THE LEADER by Eugène IONESCO (1912-1994)
Boje's Main Theatre of Leading and Organizing Page http://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/theatrics/7/
"The Supreme Trick of mass insanity is that it persuades you that the only abnormal person is the one who refuses to join in the madness of others, the one who tries vainly to resist." Eugene Ionesco
Ionesco Links - one of the most important figures in the history of avant garde theatre
Bio - Short - Ionesco - the father of "theater of the absurd" - human existence has no meaning or purpose so therefore all communication breaks down.
Bio - Longer - Ionesco - Another bio - Another - more - Best bio with listing of works
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Articles
THE LEADER
Characters
The Announcer
The Young Lover
The Girl-Friend
The Admirer
The Girl Admirer
The Leader
Source: "The Leader" pp. 109-118 in Ionesco, Eugene (1960) Rhinoceros and Other Plays. Translated by Derek Prouse. NY Grove Press, Inc.
[Standing with his back to the public, center-stage, and with his eyes fixed on the up-stage exit, the Announcer waits for the arrive of the Leader. To right and left, riveted to the walls, two of the Leader's Admirers, a man a a girl, also wait for his arrival.]
Announcer: [after a few tense moments in the same position] There he is! There he is! At the end of the street! [shouts of 'Hurrah!' etc., are heard.] There's the leader! He's coming, he's coming nearer! [Cries of acclaim and applause are heard from the wings.] It's better if he doesn't see us... [The Two Admirers hug the wall even closer.] Watch out! [The Announcer gives vent to a brief display of enthusiasm.] Hurrah! Hurrah! The leader! The leader! Long live the leader! [The Two Admirers, with their bodies rigid and flattened against the wall, thrust their necks and heads as far forward as they can to get a glimpse of the Leader.] The leader! The leader! [The Two Admirers in unison:] Hurrah! Hurrah! [Other 'Hurrahs!' mingled with 'Hurrah! Bravo! come from the wings and gradually die down.] Hurrah! Bravo!
[The Announcer takes a step up-stage, stops, then up-stage, followed by the Two Admirers, saying as he goes: 'Ah! Too bad! He's going away! He's going away! Follow me quickly! After him!' The Announcer and the Two Admirers leave, crying: 'Leader! Leeeeader! Lee-ee-eader!' (This last 'Lee-ee-eader!' echoes in the wings like a bleating cry.]
[Silence. The stage is empty for a few brief moments. The Young Lover enters right, and his Girl-Friend left; they meet center-stage.]
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Boje's Main Theatre of Leading and Organizing Page http://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/theatrics/7/
