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Eugene Ionesco Eugene Ionesco Theater of Absurd Theater of Absurd By Anca Cighi By Anca Cighi

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Eugene Ionesco. Theater of Absurd By Anca Cighi. Eugene Ionesco was a famous playwright of the Absurd Theater His works concentrated on the solitute and insignificance of one’s life and ridiculed the most banal situations of life. Biography. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Eugene Ionesco

Eugene IonescoEugene Ionesco

Theater of AbsurdTheater of Absurd

By Anca CighiBy Anca Cighi

Page 2: Eugene Ionesco

Eugene Ionesco was a Eugene Ionesco was a famous playwright of famous playwright of the Absurd Theaterthe Absurd Theater

His works concentrated His works concentrated on the solitute and on the solitute and insignificance of one’s insignificance of one’s life and life and ridiculed the the most banal situations of most banal situations of lifelife

Page 3: Eugene Ionesco

BiographyBiography

Eugene Ionesco was born on Eugene Ionesco was born on November 26, 1909, in November 26, 1909, in Slatina, RomaniaSlatina, Romania

He’s real name is Eugen IonescuHe’s real name is Eugen Ionescu He’s father was Romanian, but the origins of his He’s father was Romanian, but the origins of his

mother are not known for suremother are not known for sure According to some historians, the mother of Eugene According to some historians, the mother of Eugene

Ionesco, Ionesco, Marie-Thèrèse Ipcar/Icard, was the daughter Marie-Thèrèse Ipcar/Icard, was the daughter of a French-Protestant engineer who moved to of a French-Protestant engineer who moved to Romania to work on the railroads.Romania to work on the railroads.

Page 4: Eugene Ionesco

Though born in Romania, Eugene spent his early Though born in Romania, Eugene spent his early years in France, where his father, Eugene Senior, years in France, where his father, Eugene Senior, earned a law degreeearned a law degree

His parents were eventually separated by the first His parents were eventually separated by the first World War; mother remained in France with the World War; mother remained in France with the children (Eugene had a sister) and father returned to children (Eugene had a sister) and father returned to BucharestBucharest

After a while, Eugene’s mother thought her husband After a while, Eugene’s mother thought her husband dead, for he gave no sign of his whereaboutsdead, for he gave no sign of his whereabouts

But Eugene Senior remarried and claimed the custody But Eugene Senior remarried and claimed the custody of his children, evoking abandonment; this is how of his children, evoking abandonment; this is how Eugene and his sister returned to RomaniaEugene and his sister returned to Romania

Page 5: Eugene Ionesco

During this time, the relations with his father During this time, the relations with his father were bad, and in 1926 Eugene left his father were bad, and in 1926 Eugene left his father house and moved with his mother, who by house and moved with his mother, who by then was also living in Bucharestthen was also living in Bucharest

Eugene learned Romanian and found it a Eugene learned Romanian and found it a beautiful languagebeautiful language

In 1928 he had his debut as a poet in Bilete de In 1928 he had his debut as a poet in Bilete de papagal (parrot-notes), which appeared daily papagal (parrot-notes), which appeared daily and was famous for its tiny format. and was famous for its tiny format.

Page 6: Eugene Ionesco

In 1929 the young poet In 1929 the young poet was enrolled in French was enrolled in French literature studies at literature studies at Bucharest UniversityBucharest University

He was an excellent He was an excellent student and since student and since university he began university he began publishing his works publishing his works and literary criticismand literary criticism

While there he met Emil While there he met Emil Cioran and Mircea Cioran and Mircea Eliade, and the three Eliade, and the three became lifelong friendsbecame lifelong friends

Page 7: Eugene Ionesco

During University he became acquainted with Rodica During University he became acquainted with Rodica BurileanuBurileanu

He published his first article (on Ilarie Voronca) in He published his first article (on Ilarie Voronca) in the Zodiac review in 1930the Zodiac review in 1930

In 1931 he wrote Elegii pentru fiinte mici (Elegies for In 1931 he wrote Elegii pentru fiinte mici (Elegies for tiny beings) (poetry) influenced by Francis Jammes.tiny beings) (poetry) influenced by Francis Jammes.

Between 1928 and 1935 he wrote articles in the Between 1928 and 1935 he wrote articles in the reviews Vremea (Time), Azi (Today), Floarea de Foc reviews Vremea (Time), Azi (Today), Floarea de Foc (Flower of Fire), Viata Literara (Literary Life), (Flower of Fire), Viata Literara (Literary Life), România Literara (Literary Romania), the weekly România Literara (Literary Romania), the weekly antifascist magazine Critica, Axa (the Axis), Fapta antifascist magazine Critica, Axa (the Axis), Fapta (the Fact), Ideea, Româneasca and Zodiac.(the Fact), Ideea, Româneasca and Zodiac.

Page 8: Eugene Ionesco

July 8, 1936 Eugene married Rodica and in 1938 returned to July 8, 1936 Eugene married Rodica and in 1938 returned to France, with his family (their daughter, Marie-France Ionesco, France, with his family (their daughter, Marie-France Ionesco, was born)was born)

Ionesco never again saw his father and this is what he last Ionesco never again saw his father and this is what he last recalls:recalls:

"The last time I saw him, I had completed my studies (...) and "The last time I saw him, I had completed my studies (...) and was married (...) He believed in the State, no matter what it was married (...) He believed in the State, no matter what it represented. I did not like authority. I detested the State. (...) In represented. I did not like authority. I detested the State. (...) In short, at the end of our meals together, we were at sword's short, at the end of our meals together, we were at sword's point with each other: at one time in the past he had called me point with each other: at one time in the past he had called me a Bloshevik; this time he called me someone who sided with a Bloshevik; this time he called me someone who sided with the Jews (...) I remember the last sentence I ever said to him: the Jews (...) I remember the last sentence I ever said to him: "It is better to be on the side of the Jews than to be a stupid "It is better to be on the side of the Jews than to be a stupid idiot! "idiot! "

Page 9: Eugene Ionesco

Eugene Ionesco’s worksEugene Ionesco’s works

Page 10: Eugene Ionesco

He wrote absurdist sketches, to which he gave the He wrote absurdist sketches, to which he gave the description of "anti-play" (description of "anti-play" (anti-pièceanti-pièce in French) in French)

They express modern feelings of alienation and the They express modern feelings of alienation and the impossibility and futility of communication with impossibility and futility of communication with surrealsurreal comic force, parodying the conformism of the bourgeoisie comic force, parodying the conformism of the bourgeoisie and conventional theatrical forms. and conventional theatrical forms.

Ionesco rejects a conventional story-line as their basis, Ionesco rejects a conventional story-line as their basis, instead taking their dramatic structure from accelerating instead taking their dramatic structure from accelerating rhythms and/or cyclical repetitions. rhythms and/or cyclical repetitions.

He disregards psychology and coherent dialogue, thereby He disregards psychology and coherent dialogue, thereby depicting a dehumanized world with mechanical, puppet-depicting a dehumanized world with mechanical, puppet-like characters who speak in like characters who speak in non-sequitursnon-sequiturs..

Language is rarefied, with words and material objects Language is rarefied, with words and material objects gaining a life of their owngaining a life of their own

Page 11: Eugene Ionesco

The Bald Soprano The Bald Soprano

Page 12: Eugene Ionesco

Also translated as the Bald Prima Donna (French Also translated as the Bald Prima Donna (French original title La Cantatrice Chauve)original title La Cantatrice Chauve)

It is Ionesco’s first play (one act play), written in It is Ionesco’s first play (one act play), written in 19501950

Ionesco first got the idea of the play while learning Ionesco first got the idea of the play while learning English with the Assimil Method; he was intrigued by English with the Assimil Method; he was intrigued by the fact that there are seven days in a week, that the the fact that there are seven days in a week, that the ceiling is up and the floor is down; things which he ceiling is up and the floor is down; things which he already knew, but which suddenly struck him as already knew, but which suddenly struck him as being as stupefying as they were indisputably truebeing as stupefying as they were indisputably true

Page 13: Eugene Ionesco

The play is about the Smith’s, a traditional familyThe play is about the Smith’s, a traditional family The whole play is full with non-sequiturs The whole play is full with non-sequiturs The audience gets the impression that the characters are not The audience gets the impression that the characters are not

even listening to each othereven listening to each other The play expresses the lack of communication in modern The play expresses the lack of communication in modern

society, or its futilitysociety, or its futility It was directed by It was directed by Nicolas Nicolas BatailleBataille and first played on and first played on May 11May 11, ,

19501950 at the at the ThéâtreThéâtre des des NoctambulesNoctambules.. The Bald Soprano was received by the majority of critics with The Bald Soprano was received by the majority of critics with

dismissive reviews and was not well attended. After 25 dismissive reviews and was not well attended. After 25 performances at the tiny Theatre des Noctambules, it was performances at the tiny Theatre des Noctambules, it was closed. closed.

Since Since 19571957 it has been in permanent showing at the it has been in permanent showing at the ThéâtreThéâtre de la de la HuchetteHuchette, which received a , which received a MolièreMolière d'honneurd'honneur for its for its performances. performances.

It’s one of France most famous plays nowadaysIt’s one of France most famous plays nowadays

Page 14: Eugene Ionesco

La Lecon (The Lesson)La Lecon (The Lesson)

Page 15: Eugene Ionesco

Written in 1951, also a one-act playWritten in 1951, also a one-act play This play has three characters: the professor, This play has three characters: the professor,

the student and the professor’s maidthe student and the professor’s maid The action is simple: the professor gets more The action is simple: the professor gets more

and more angry with the student’s ignorance and more angry with the student’s ignorance and the students grows more and more timidand the students grows more and more timid

The professor kills the student and the play The professor kills the student and the play ends with the maid receiving a new student ends with the maid receiving a new student

Page 16: Eugene Ionesco

Les Chaises – The ChairsLes Chaises – The Chairs

Page 17: Eugene Ionesco

Written in 1952, it is an absurdist tragic-farseWritten in 1952, it is an absurdist tragic-farse This play has two characters: Old Man and Old This play has two characters: Old Man and Old

WomanWoman It is also full of non-sequitursIt is also full of non-sequiturs The setting is on a deserted island, where the two old The setting is on a deserted island, where the two old

people arrange chairs for some imaginary guests and people arrange chairs for some imaginary guests and talk to eac hother while the ‘guests’ arrivetalk to eac hother while the ‘guests’ arrive

A 1998 production of this play was a success in A 1998 production of this play was a success in England and moved on to the John Golden Theater on England and moved on to the John Golden Theater on BroadwayBroadway

Page 18: Eugene Ionesco

RhinocerosRhinoceros

Page 19: Eugene Ionesco

Three-act play, written in 1959Three-act play, written in 1959 All of the 17 characters, even the secondary members All of the 17 characters, even the secondary members

of the cast, have well-defined and distinct of the cast, have well-defined and distinct personalities.personalities.

The main character, Berenger, is criticised by the The main character, Berenger, is criticised by the people around him for drinking too much and for his people around him for drinking too much and for his tardiness, but he is the only character from the play tardiness, but he is the only character from the play that does not surrender and transform into a rhino. that does not surrender and transform into a rhino.

The play depicts Ionesco’s horror of ideological The play depicts Ionesco’s horror of ideological conformism, inspired by the rise of the fascist Iron conformism, inspired by the rise of the fascist Iron Guard in Romania in the 1930sGuard in Romania in the 1930s

Page 20: Eugene Ionesco

The play was first delivered via BBC radio in August 1959, first staged The play was first delivered via BBC radio in August 1959, first staged in Dusseldorf in October of the same year (at the Schauspielhaus, in Dusseldorf in October of the same year (at the Schauspielhaus, directed by Karl-Heinz Stroux with Karl-Maria Schley as Berenger), directed by Karl-Heinz Stroux with Karl-Maria Schley as Berenger), premiered first in Paris in 1960 and then at the Royal Court in London premiered first in Paris in 1960 and then at the Royal Court in London (directed by Orson Welles with Laurence Olivier)(directed by Orson Welles with Laurence Olivier)

The play was adapted for a 1973 film (also called Rhinoceros) directed The play was adapted for a 1973 film (also called Rhinoceros) directed by Tom O'Horgan and starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.by Tom O'Horgan and starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

the 1961 Broadway production that caused Ionesco unprecedented the 1961 Broadway production that caused Ionesco unprecedented celebrity. With Eli Wallach as Berenger and Zero Mostel as Jean (for celebrity. With Eli Wallach as Berenger and Zero Mostel as Jean (for which Mostel received his first Tony), it was directed by Joseph which Mostel received his first Tony), it was directed by Joseph Anthony and produced by Leo Kerz. Anthony and produced by Leo Kerz.

Considering the great number of languages into which the play has Considering the great number of languages into which the play has been translated, and ongoing international interest in producing it, it is been translated, and ongoing international interest in producing it, it is perhaps surprising to find that to date the country in which it has perhaps surprising to find that to date the country in which it has received the most number of productions (if not performances) is the received the most number of productions (if not performances) is the USUS

Page 21: Eugene Ionesco

The play was performed in Bucharest, at the Teatrul The play was performed in Bucharest, at the Teatrul de Comedie only in 1964, as Ionesco’s works were de Comedie only in 1964, as Ionesco’s works were banned in Romaniabanned in Romania

The play contains an ironic self-reference:The play contains an ironic self-reference: JEAN: [to BERENGER] Instead of squandering all JEAN: [to BERENGER] Instead of squandering all

your spare money on drink, isn't it better to buy a your spare money on drink, isn't it better to buy a ticket for an interesting play? Do you know anything ticket for an interesting play? Do you know anything about the avant-garde theatre there's so much talk about the avant-garde theatre there's so much talk about? Have you seen Ionesco's plays?about? Have you seen Ionesco's plays?BERENGER: [to JEAN] Unfortunately, no. I've only BERENGER: [to JEAN] Unfortunately, no. I've only heard people talk about them. (...)heard people talk about them. (...)JEAN: [to BERENGER] There's one playing now. JEAN: [to BERENGER] There's one playing now. Take advantage of it.Take advantage of it.

Page 22: Eugene Ionesco

"Anyway, Berenger is, I hope, "Anyway, Berenger is, I hope, above all a character. And if he is above all a character. And if he is time-resistant, it will be because time-resistant, it will be because he has proved himself as a he has proved himself as a character; he should, if he has any character; he should, if he has any real worth, survive even after his real worth, survive even after his "message" has become outdated. "message" has become outdated. Poetically, it is not his thought but Poetically, it is not his thought but his passion and his imaginative his passion and his imaginative life that will matter, for his life that will matter, for his message could quite as well be message could quite as well be delivered now by a journalist, a delivered now by a journalist, a philosopher or a moralist, philosopher or a moralist, etc....The interest we may take etc....The interest we may take today in a particular attitude, in today in a particular attitude, in spite of its human importance, spite of its human importance, takes second place to the takes second place to the permanent importance of art." permanent importance of art."

Page 23: Eugene Ionesco

Other writingsOther writings

Ionesco also had theoratical writings, mainly as direct Ionesco also had theoratical writings, mainly as direct response to his criticsresponse to his critics

The famous ‘London Controversy’: critic Kenneth The famous ‘London Controversy’: critic Kenneth Tynan, after first praising the Bald Primma Dona, Tynan, after first praising the Bald Primma Dona, later, in the pages of The Observer, withdraws his later, in the pages of The Observer, withdraws his favorable opinion and chastises Ionesco's plays on the favorable opinion and chastises Ionesco's plays on the grounds that they are not politically correctgrounds that they are not politically correct

"M. Ionesco's theatre is pungent and exciting, but it "M. Ionesco's theatre is pungent and exciting, but it remains a diversion. It is not on the main road: and remains a diversion. It is not on the main road: and we do him no good, nor the drama at large, to pretend we do him no good, nor the drama at large, to pretend that it is..."that it is..."

Page 24: Eugene Ionesco

He also explains his view of how theater should be:He also explains his view of how theater should be: "I have attempted...to exteriorize, by using objects, "I have attempted...to exteriorize, by using objects,

the anguish of my characters, to make the set speak the anguish of my characters, to make the set speak and the action on the stage more visual, to translate and the action on the stage more visual, to translate into concrete images terror, regret or remorse, and into concrete images terror, regret or remorse, and estrangement, to play with words (but not to send estrangement, to play with words (but not to send them packing) and even perhaps to deform them--them packing) and even perhaps to deform them--which is generally accepted in the work of poets and which is generally accepted in the work of poets and humorists. I have thus sought to extend the idiom of humorists. I have thus sought to extend the idiom of the theatre." the theatre."

Page 25: Eugene Ionesco

He also states in his theoretical writings that as a He also states in his theoretical writings that as a child he hated going to the theater, but that the first child he hated going to the theater, but that the first theatrical encounter in which he recalls having theatrical encounter in which he recalls having delighted is the puppet show in the Luxembourg delighted is the puppet show in the Luxembourg Gardens. Gardens.

At about the age of four "I ...could stay there, At about the age of four "I ...could stay there, spellbound, all day long. But I did not laugh. That spellbound, all day long. But I did not laugh. That Punch and Judy show kept me there open-mouthed, Punch and Judy show kept me there open-mouthed, watching those puppets talking, moving and watching those puppets talking, moving and cudgeling each other. It was the very image of the cudgeling each other. It was the very image of the world that appeared to me, strange and improbable world that appeared to me, strange and improbable but truer than true, in the profoundly simplified form but truer than true, in the profoundly simplified form of caricature, as though to stress the grotesque and of caricature, as though to stress the grotesque and brutal nature of the truth....until I was fifteen...[e]very brutal nature of the truth....until I was fifteen...[e]very live show awoke in me this feeling for the live show awoke in me this feeling for the strangeness of the world..."strangeness of the world..."

Page 26: Eugene Ionesco

Honors and awardsHonors and awards He received numerous awards including Tours He received numerous awards including Tours

Festival Prize for film, Festival Prize for film, 19591959 Prix Italia, Prix Italia, 19631963 Society of Authors Theatre Prize, Society of Authors Theatre Prize, 19661966 Grand Prix National for theatre, Grand Prix National for theatre, 19691969 Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix, 19691969 Austrian State Prize for European Literature, Austrian State Prize for European Literature, 19701970 Jerusalem PrizeJerusalem Prize, 1973, 1973 honorary doctorates from New York University and honorary doctorates from New York University and

the universities of Leuven, Warwick and Tel Aviv. the universities of Leuven, Warwick and Tel Aviv. He was made a member of the Académie française in He was made a member of the Académie française in

1970 1970

Page 27: Eugene Ionesco

Quotes Quotes

Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together. together.

I am not quite sure whether I am dreaming or I am not quite sure whether I am dreaming or remembering, whether I have lived my life or remembering, whether I have lived my life or dreamed it. Just as dreams do, memory makes me dreamed it. Just as dreams do, memory makes me profoundly aware of the unreality, the evanescence of profoundly aware of the unreality, the evanescence of the world, a fleeting image in the moving water. the world, a fleeting image in the moving water.

A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind. A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.

Page 28: Eugene Ionesco

Ionesco died on March Ionesco died on March 29, 1994 at the age of 29, 1994 at the age of 8484

He is buried in Paris, in He is buried in Paris, in Cimetière du Cimetière du MontparnasseMontparnasse

The inscription reads:The inscription reads: ““Pray to the I don't-Pray to the I don't-

know-who: Jesus Christ, know-who: Jesus Christ, I hope”I hope”

Page 29: Eugene Ionesco

BibliographyBibliography

www.wikipedia.comwww.wikipedia.com http://www.ionesco.org/vie-enhttp://www.ionesco.org/vie-en http://www.untitledtheater.com/http://www.untitledtheater.com/

Productionlist.htmlProductionlist.html http://www.reacttheatre.orghttp://www.reacttheatre.org http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/

e/eugene_ionesco.htmle/eugene_ionesco.html