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Overview

Synopsis

In the Grand Balcony, a “house of illusions” (otherwise known as a brothel), a series of revolving rooms are prepared to fulfill the various fantasies of its male clients. They are all overseen by the brothel madam, Irma, who directs and stage manages a series of role-play scenarios, including a judge punishing a thief, a bishop forgiving a sinful woman, and a general riding astride his horse. Outside the brothel, a revolution threatens all those on the streets and the building buzzes with news of the troubles. Irma waits for the imminent arrival of the Chief of Police, but his arrival is surpassed by the news from the queen's envoy. He informs Irma and her patrons that the figureheads of the establishment have been killed. In a bizarre turn of events, Irma and her clients take their place, turning fantasy into a grotesque reality, in an attempt to suppress the revolution.

The Balcony explores the concepts of illusion and reality, and order and dissolution through a prism of sexuality and desire. Genet’s play is widely acknowledged as one of the founding plays of modern French theatre, with philosopher Lucien Goldmann labeling it “the first great Brechtian play in French literature'”

Show Information

Book
Jean Genet
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1957
Genres
Dark Comedy, Drama
Settings
Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
The Grand Balcony, Paris
Cast Size
large
Ideal For
College/University, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Irma

Lead

Female

Non-singer

The Chief of Police

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The General

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Judge

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Bishop

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Carmen

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Chantal

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Roger

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Executioner (Arthur)

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Court Envoy

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Woman (Rosine)

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Thief

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Girl

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Three Photographers

Featured

Either Gender

Non-singer

The Rebels

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher