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Theatre Arts for Advanced Secondary Schools

(b) Challenging traditional conventions: Absurdism plays break away
from traditional dramatic structures, rejecting linear narratives, realistic
settings and logical dialogue. This challenges audiences to reconsider
their expectations of theatre and encourages experimentation with new
forms of storytelling and expression.
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(c) Critiquing society and culture: Through its absurdity and often dreamlike
scenarios, theatre of the absurd offers critiques to societal norms,
institutions and human conditions. Playwrights use satire, irony, and dark
humour to expose the emptiness, hypocrisy and alienation present in the
modern society.

(d) Posing criticism to the language and its ability to communicate feelings
and ideas: Theatre of the absurd playwrights experiment with language,
fragmented dialogue, repetition and ambiguity to reflect the breakdown
of communication and the limitations of language in expressing complex
truths. This challenges audience to reconsider the nature and effectiveness
of human communication.

(e) Influencing contemporary art and culture: Theatre of the absurd has had a
lasting impact on literature, theatre, and other art forms. Its experimental
techniques and philosophical themes continue to inspire artists, writers
and filmmakers and it shapes the development of contemporary culture
and thought.

Activity 1.5

1. Read the absurdism style of play from online sources, and then identify
features that make it absurd.
2. Write a short play that contains absurdism features.

Exercise 1.4
1. Tupo Theatre Group has invited you to assist in choosing a play that has
absurdism features so that they can produce it. Outline the way you will
assist them in selecting the play.

2. Assume you have recently submitted your absurdism play to your school
competition committee. The committee has requested you to share how
the features you have learnt helped you in writing an absurdism play.
Prepare some hints that will guide you in your presentation.

15 Form Five

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