The Ubu Plays: Includes: Ubu Rex; Ubu Cuckolded; Ubu Enchained
by Alfred Jarry, Cyril Connolly, Simon Watson Taylor

THE STORIES: Germinated in the author's youth and developed over his creative lifetime, the three UBU plays embody Alfred Jarry's disenchantment with the disjointed society of his time (the early 1890s)—but which applies to our time as well.

The first play, Ubu Rex , is an absurdist parody of Macbeth, set in Poland, detailing the rise to the throne of Pere Ubu, a grotesque, outlandish figure who personifies all that is base and stupid in mankind.

The language and action of the play are terse and direct, yet eloquent in conveying the startling parallels between the ruthless, ugly world of Ubu and our own.

The second play, Ubu Cuckholded , continues and expands this biting, savage assessment of modern society and its foibles and brings Ubu into conflict, albeit fitfully, with his conscience.

In the third play, Ubu Enchained , the cycle is completed in a heightened, outrageous satire on the concept of freedom in its varying guises and interpretations.

UBU REX calls for flexible casting for its 35+ characters; UBU CUCKOLDED for 9 men, 1 woman; UBU ENCHAINED for 12-21 men, 2 women.

All three plays may be presented with simplified settings and a minimum of props.