1896 play by the infamous playwright Alfred Jarry
Cowardly Père Ubu is egged on by his wife to murder the royal family. He becomes king of Poland and establishes a reign of terror before being defeated by the Tsar and forced into exile. The events take place in a crazy never-never land, tempo is rapid. Characters move through the story like some monstruous puppets on an attack on existing moral and aesthetic values.Theatre of the Absurd
When this play was first performed Jarry was quite popular in Literary Paris. They were all there for opening night: F.T.Marinetti, Ezra Pound, Guillaume Apollinaire. Almost from the first word of the play "Merdre" the audience began an uproar of reaction that culminated in a riot. There were literally fist fights among the audience members. The play had a second night and then closed. But Jarry's name was all over Paris.
It is one of a series of three Ubu Plays. The other two being Ubu Enchaine and Ubu Cocu
Sources:
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ajarry.htm
Jarry, Alfred, "Visits of Love", Atlas Press, London 1994
Jarry, Alfred, "The Ubu Plays", Grove Press, NY 1969
Last Updated 04.07.04