Review and Critique of Theatre Plays: Notes from Behind the Scenes
Let’s kick things off with a little introduction! This section is just one of the many magnificent parts of this magazine. If you have even the slightest curiosity about theatre, you’re in the right place. Every piece in this series will create a cozy and intimate space for my thoughts on various plays. And of course, I’ll drop the link to each play I review right below, so you can check them out for yourself. Enjoy the read!
Now, let’s get into it! Here’s a quick summary of the play:
On New Year’s Eve, a man is working the night shift at the Forensic Medicine Institute. With an hour left until midnight, he suddenly sees a woman lying on a table, covered only by a sheet. The twist? She has no idea who she is or how she got there. What was supposed to be a quiet and uneventful night quickly spirals into an unpredictable chain of surprises. Intriguing, right? Let’s dive in!
The play gave me a strange, almost eerie feeling from the very first scene. What kind of backstory could lead a man to spend his New Year’s Eve in a forensic institute instead of out celebrating? And yet, despite the grim setting, the protagonist remains surprisingly calm and composed. Even when faced with what he initially assumes to be a ghost, he reacts as though he’s simply encountering a mildly confused pedestrian. This oddly casual attitude was exactly what hooked me and kept me reading.
As the play progressed, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the humor woven into the tense atmosphere. The witty dialogue cuts through the eerie setting like a knife through butter. Here’s a little snippet to give you a taste:
Woman: Who could have wanted to murder me?
Man: That…
Woman: My husband?
Man: That’s why you should think twice before notifying him. If he’s the one who comes to pick you up from the morgue…
Woman: Why would my husband want to murder me?
Man: The reasons for murdering a spouse are not in short supply, you know…
Woman: I hope you’re not speaking from experience… Are you married?
Man: No.
Woman: With such a view of marriage, I understand why.
Haha! And trust me, the play is packed with moments like this. The writer masterfully blends absurdity and dark humor, making you laugh while simultaneously nudging you to think. The rapid exchanges between the characters and the unexpected twists keep the pace lively, ensuring that neither the reader nor the audience gets too comfortable.
But what truly left a lasting impact on me were the deeper philosophical questions embedded in the narrative. For instance, the woman’s complete memory loss raises a profound question: Who are we without our memories? It forces the audience to reflect on the relationship between identity and memory.
Another major theme is the perception of reality. Throughout the play, the characters constantly question what is real. Are things truly as they seem, or is there a hidden layer of meaning beneath the surface? This subtle yet persistent questioning keeps the audience’s mind buzzing.
And of course, we can’t ignore the life and death theme. A comedy set in a morgue? That alone is ironic. The play explores the fine line between life and death, treating existential dread with an amusing, light-hearted touch.
In the end, these thought-provoking elements elevate the play beyond just a clever dark comedy. Much like absurdist theater, Martinez uses humor to shed light on humanity’s existential dilemmas.
Long story short: an absolute must-read! And if you get the chance to see it on stage, even better. Until next time—stay curious!
References:
- Athena. (2024, November 30). New Year’s Eve at the Morgue. Jean-Pierre Martinez Playwright.
