This was Eugene Ionescu's first play. It was originally written in French, with some
phrases in English. There is a
great deal of satire on whatis typically "English." The
Smiths are seen at the beginning of the play. Their maid, Mary, comes in and
announces that their guests, the Martins, are at the door, although they are VERY late
for dinner.
Waiting for the Smiths, the Martins act as if they can't remember where they've met before, but
many apparent coincidences in their lives come out as they talk, and they find, or
convince themselves, that they are really husband and wife. The maid comes in, and in
an aside to the audience, says that they are not really who they think they are.
The Smiths come down. The doorbell rings three (3) times with no one there when it is
answered. The fourth (4th) time, the Fire Chief is there, and the maid hugs him (it is
said to be unseemly).
The people talk in various nonsequitur ways to the end of the play.
reminiscent of James Joyce, although coherent, in an odd way. (This is an
absurdist comedy, so perhaps "odd" is an understatement, however.)>