
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
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
---|---|---|---|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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