Elder JimZim, trying to irrigate the Arroyo Seco of WLBOTT Writer’s BLOTT, has come up with a gem of a suggestion.
Fellow Elders – while we are focused on winding twine into a ball and participating in the realm of Theatre of the Absurd as described by AI:
The Theatre of the Absurd is a theatrical movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily in Europe, characterized by its exploration of the inherent meaninglessness and absurdity of the human condition
TheatreUNCA One-Act Theatre
I think we should start cataloguing (Canadian spelling to be inclusive) practical uses for twine, so our future Chief Marketing Elder can start making sales calls on Day 1.
Elder JimZim
Theatre of the Absurd
The theatre of the absurd is a post–World War II designation for particular plays of absurdist fiction written by a number of primarily European playwrights in the late 1950s. It is also a term for the style of theatre the plays represent. The plays focus largely on ideas of existentialism and express what happens when human existence lacks meaning or purpose and communication breaks down. The structure of the plays is typically a round shape, with the finishing point the same as the starting point.
Logical construction and argument give way to irrational and illogical speech and to the ultimate conclusion—silence.
Theatrical features Plays within this group are absurd in that they focus not on logical acts, realistic occurrences, or traditional character development; they, instead, focus on human beings trapped in an incomprehensible world subject to any occurrence, no matter how illogical
Thalia Stiff has an intriguing power point for Theatre of the Absurd on slidePlayer.
This has WLBOTT written all over it. Except we don’t have to memorize any lines, leave the house, make in-person human contact, and makeup is always optional.
THEATRE OF THE ABSURD CONVENTIONS
Ambiguous time, place and identity
Meaningless plots
Repetitive or nonsensical dialogue
Dramatic non-sequiturs used to create dream-like or nightmare-like moods.
Thalia Stiff herself seems to be a bit of an enigma. No internet presence. AI had to dance around the question. Our hat is off to Thalia for not just embracing absurdism, but living absurdism!
An Homage to Thalia Stiff, our Absurdest Goddess ProTem
Thalia Through the Ages….
Theatre of the Absurd: WLBOTT’s Spiritual Ancestor
We have decided to create our own theatre troupe: WLBOTT Bureau of Theatrical Compliance. This gives it a Soviet era vibe, which may compel ticket sales. It also signals that we don’t really enjoy what we are doing, and it shows in our lackluster performances.
Just so we don’t create any false expectations, our premier play, More Is Expected, did not go well.
Our Theater Premier: More Is Expected
Our first objet d’art, More Is Expected: Marital Performance Reviews in the Time of Covid, recently premiered in Neil Young’s burned out basement, with the light of a full moon in my eyes (power wasn’t working).
Summary: Covid lockdowns offered a perfect opportunity to assess marital performance deficiencies. We hope to capture the magic, as we follow Marsha’s heartfelt review of Larry. And since there is no commute, informal discussions can extend past the formal review, and even into the late night/early morning if necessary!
Recurring Motifs:
Larry’s gaze occasionally drifts toward the kitchen knives. Not with malice—just curiosity.
The Zoom window occasionally flickers. An empty hallway appears. No explanation.
The bell on the microwave dings every 9 minutes. No food ever appears.
Dust accumulates visibly during the play.
Marsha’s clipboard pages never run out. She flips them endlessly.
Scenes from Other Productions
The Critics were Unanimous / Anonymous
Here are some devastatingly underwhelmed quotes from deeply disappointed (yet somehow still loyal) theater critics across the WLBOTT cultural archipelago:
“I attended. I remained seated. That is all I can confirm.” – Rutherford Plaine, The Municipal Thespian Review
“A courageous exploration of the void between two people and the casserole they did not finish.” – Thérèse Dull, Modern Beige
“It was like watching a spreadsheet develop self-awareness, then give up.” – Neville H. Slump, Quarterly Absurdist
“The highlight was when the coffee mug tipped over. It did not spill.” – Dagmar Cleft, Cultural Bafflement Digest
“Marsha’s line ‘You didn’t refill the Brita’ sent a chill down my spine. Possibly due to the theater’s broken heating.” – Lars Von Meh, The Grey Times
“I laughed. I cried. I checked my watch.” – Clive Ennui, Performing Arts Regulatory Monthly
“If this is what compliance looks like, I rescind my application to humanity.” – Anonymous, scribbled on a napkin and left at the venue
Dramatis Personae / The WLBOTT Players
Random Acts of Surrealism
Hey, we paid for these images, we might as well post them.
