The Bald Prima Donna

2008-04-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Smiths are a traditional family from London, who have invited another family, the Martins, over for a visit. Their married guests, Mr and Mrs Martin, are certain that they have met somewhere before. They are joined later by the Smiths' maid, Mary, who reveals that she is Sherlock Holmes, and the local fire chief, who is also a friend and confuses everyone by bobby-knocking at the door. Who is responsible for this misunderstanding?

The two families engage in meaningless banter, telling stories and relating nonsensical poems as the play explores the futility as well as the lack of meaningful communication in modern society.

I want to create a surreal and humoristic colourful atmosphere in order to get the audience to feel the absurdity and improbability of everyday life experiences through an unusual, comic play which rejects traditional forms of narrative, plot, and structure while exploring the modern human experience through the fragmentation of language.
The Characters: The idiosyncrasies of the characters live and breathe in middle-class London in the 1950’s, while they are trying to find their place where the illogical and hilarious intertwine.
Mr Smith: Age: 30’s - 50’s A typical English husband
Mrs Smith: Age: 30’s - 50’s An typical English wife
Mr Martin: Age: 20’s - 30’s A nerd-like Englishman
Mrs Martin: Age: 20’s - 30’s An uptight Englishwoman
Fireman: Age: 20’s - 30’s A very energetic English fireman
Mary, the Maid: Age: 20’s - 30’s A snoopy maid who likes to think that she has excellent detective skills

the bald prima donna - ionesco - crescent theatre

The Bald Prima Donna