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- Female: 1
- Male: 1
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Context
Mr. and Mrs. Martin arrive at the Smiths for dinner. They both recognize each other, but haven’t the slightest idea when they could have met. Finally after identifying all the remarkable coincidences that have led them together, they conclude that they are husband and wife.
Both characters speak with a British RP accent. This is a classic absurdist scene and should be played seriously, with no commentary on the nonsensical and absurdist language.
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START: Mr. Martin: Excuse me, madam, but it seems to me, unless I’m mistaken, that I’ve met you somewhere before.
Mrs. Martin: I, too, sir. It seems to me that I’ve met you somewhere before.
Mr. Martin: Was it, by any chance, at Manchester that I caught a glimpse of you, madam?
Mrs. Martin: That is very possible. I am originally from the city of Manchester. But I do not have a good memory, sir. I cannot say whether it was there that I caught a glimpse of you or not!
[... … …]
END: Mr. Martin: (In the same drawling monotonous voice) How curious it is and what a coincidence! And bizarre! Perhaps they are the same, dear lady!
Mrs. Martin: How curious it is! It is indeed possible, dear sir. (A rather long moment of silence. The clock strikes 29 times.)
Mr. Martin: (Having reflected at length, gets up slowly and, unhurriedly, moves toward Mrs. Martin, who, surprised by his solemn air, has also gotten up very quietly. Mr. Martin, in the same flat, monotonous voice, slightly sing-song) Then, dear lady, I believe that there can be no doubt about it, we have seen each other before and you are my own wife . . . Elizabeth, I have found you again!
(Mrs. Martin approaches Mr. Martin without haste. They embrace without expression. The clock strikes once, very loud. This striking of the clock must be so loud that it makes the audience jump. The Martins do not hear it.)
Mrs. Martin: Donald, it’s you, darling!
For full scene, please refer to the clip or the script edition cited here: Ionesco, Eugène, The Bald Soprano & Other Plays, “The Bald Soprano”, Grover Press, 1958, pp. 13-19.
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