A Scenography of Light

Extract

One of the most imaginative and innovative productions of recent London seasons was Arrabal's The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria. It was staged by the National Theatre of Great Britain in the Spring of 1971. Arrabal set his microcosmic fantasy on an island inhabited by a solitary man who lives without any knowledge whatsoever of civilization or mankind. As the play begins, this creature stands midstage, terrified by the roar of an approaching jet aircraft. The intensity of the sound builds as the aircraft passes low overhead. A deafening crash follows. The creature, petrified with fear, falls to the floor and hides his head. At this point, the second of the play's two characters appears. He approaches and announces himself as the only survivor from the crash. The panic-stricken creature flees, uttering bird-like screams of terror.