Six Characters in Search of an Author (Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore) is a play by Italian dramatist Luigi Pirandello, written in 1921. An early example of absurdist theatre, it is a play within a play that revolves around a rehearsal for a different play that gets interrupted by six characters who claim to be unfinished creations seeking a resolution to their story. They insist that their author abandoned them and now they're searching for someone to complete their narrative. The play delves into themes of identity, reality versus illusion, and the nature of art and existence. Through its innovative narrative structure and philosophical undertones, Pirandello's work challenges conventional theatrical norms and prompts audiences to contemplate the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality.
