Alfred Jarry

[Isagel]

Has anyone else read Alfred Jarry? What do you think about his plays?

I´m reading King Ubu right now, and two other plays - King Ubu in chains, and Doktor Faustroll.

I´m reading a swedish translation so I´m probably missing alot from the french original. But so far it has me laughing so hard that that I´m almost crying. There is something about the absurd that I find so very, very amusing in a slightly wicked way.

My favorite parts are the one about the Free men, here is a short example - my translation for which I send my humble apologies to Jarry :

"The three free men: We are the free men and this is our corporal.
The first free man: Long live freedom! Hurray!
The second free man : Hurray!
The third free man: Hurray! We are free men. We live in a free country. It is our duty to be free.
The second free man: Slow down or we will get there in time.
the first free man: It is our duty to never be on time
The second free man: Never!
The third free man: Never!
th first free man . to our exercise in the free outdoors
the second free man: General disobedience
The third free man: No not general: one two three! Number one on one, number two on two, number three on three. Evryone in his own rythm, no matter how tiresome it may be. Individual disobedience!
Corporal : Attention! (the free men scatter) You, number three, will get two days suspension for following number two. The instruction says: Be free, stand free! If you are standing free, you are standing at ease... Individual exercise inn disobedience... Constant and harsh disciplin is the ground for all freedom"