CL108 - Introduction to theatre of the absurd (S1 - 2023-24)

Theatre of the Absurd was an important cultural feature of the second half of the 20th century. It’s tempting to dismiss the Absurd as synonymous with ridiculous or nonsense. But what is behind the term? Why did this type of theatre come into being and thrive? What societal changes was it responding to?  

We shall attempt to answer these questions, by interacting with major texts of this movement. Often criticised as being male-dominated, we shall also move beyond and expand our reading by incorporating texts written by women playwrights. 

Finally, given that a number of writers of the Absurd are French, we shall examine the importance of translation in the absurd. And how translation can bring us closer to understanding theatre and, consequently, our times.