Charles Ludlam and the Ridiculous Theatrical Company: Critical Analyses of 29 Plays

by Rick Roemer

Overview

In the late 1960s, Charles Ludlam (1943-1987) brought his unique brand of theatre to New York audiences. Based in part on traditional comic characters, his "ridiculous" school included such inspirations as Hollywood B movies, camp, drag, and opera. His shows were also a study in self-collaboration; Ludlam acted as playwright, director, designer, and actor in his own Off Broadway theatre--the Ridiculous Theatrical Company.

Critically, Ludlam's works were often overlooked or misunderstood, and since his death The Mystery of Irma Vep is the only one of his 29 plays consistently performed in regional theatres. This work provides an overview of Ludlam's life, explores the theatrical underpinnings of his work and goes on to cover the entire Ludlam canon. The book includes examinations of such plays as Le Bourgeois Avant-Garde, Bluebeard, Galas and Stage Blood. It concludes with a look at Ludlam's work in the 1980s when he focused on presenting new plays, many of them original farces.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786445103
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	07/27/2010
Series:	Performing Arts/Theater
Pages:	197
Sales rank:	1,038,014
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Rick Roemer is a professor of theatre at the Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He has directed more than 30 productions and as an actor has appeared on Broadway, Off Broadway, and in national tours, regional theatres, daytime soaps, and commercials. He lives in Pflugerville.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction     

1. Charles Ludlam in the Beginning     
2. Roots of Ridiculosity     
3. Ridiculosity in Theory     
4. Ridiculosity in Practice     
5. The Ridiculous Plays, Part One: 1967–1979     
6. The Ridiculous Plays, Part Two: 1980–1986     
7. Charles Ludlam at the End     

Appendix: Manifesto: Ridiculous Theater, Scourge of Human Folly (by Charles Ludlam)     
Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

provides an overview of Ludlam’s life, exploring the theatrical underpinnings of his work and then the whole Ludlam canon”—Reference & Research Book News.

From the Publisher

Ludlam (1943-1987) first brought his unique brand of theater to New York audiences in the late 1960s. Based in part on traditional comic characters, his ridiculous school included such inspirations as Hollywood B movies, camp, drag, opera and theatrical artifice. The author provides an overview of Ludlam's life, exploring the theatrical underpinnings of his work and then the whole Ludlam canon. A look at Ludlam's work in the 1980s concludes the work. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

provides an overview of Ludlam's life, exploring the theatrical underpinnings of his work and then the whole Ludlam canon

Reference & Research Book News