Six Characters in Search of an Author
By Luigi Pirandello
Originally published: 1921 Info: The Italian original of this play is titled Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore.
Pirandello wrote seven novels, numerous stories, and
later on, many plays. In 1934, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. During his lifetime, he had plans to write 365 stories and
publish them as Stories for One Year, but he only managed to write 233 stories before his death. These stories have subsequently
been published in several different volumes, featuring titles such as The Merry-Go-Round of Love and Selected Stories and Tales of
Madness. Six Characters in Search of an Author broke from the norms of his time and is one of his best-known works.
Synopsis: Essentially, the entire play is supposed to seem improvised, including a
definite air of unexpectedness. An acting company has gathered in the theater to rehearse a play. (The play is said to be one of Pirandello's own, and
amusing disparaging remarks are made about him.) While the actors are rehearsing, a family of six intrudes, looking for an author to tell their tale.
They say they are characters who were born living, and they must constantly live out prior traumatic incidents. The Director of the acting company
is intrigued by what they tell him and agrees to take on their story. As the play progresses, the incidents alluded to by the family members unfold, and
the reader learns how each member of the family lives a scarred existence.
Analysis: The concept of a story within a story is revitalized in this play, and this leads to an intricate, though anticlimactic, retelling of events.
Pirandello's self-scrutiny is good for a few laughs. This play explores themes of human isolation and loneliness, coupled with a delve or two into illusion and reality. I am of the opinion, however, that the gimmick of an unconventional improv play does not make up for the otherwise bland storyline. Perhaps I am simply jaded.
Recommendation: I recommend that Ewa read this, just for the heck of it. Well, it's a short play, so everyone should try it.
Plus, I think the title really rocks.
Genre: Italian drama
