Are you ready for Here Comes A Chopper - a taste of Ionesco’s Theatre of the Absurd

Here Comes A Chopper, written by titan of Theatre of the Absurd Eugène Ionesc in 1970, is billed as a comedy about a plague that sweeps through a town, forcing a lockdown situation. Sound familiar? Fifty years before it was written, the Spanish flu had ravished Europe, and 50 years after, we endured Covid; Ionesco is both reflective and prophetic, commenting on the human condition and showing us that nothing much changes and we are perhaps doomed to keep repeating ourselves. The action of the play portrays both anarchic humour and pathos, with fast-paced scenes darting around the town and giving an insight into the reactions of the townsfolk to their predicament. Featuring an ensemble cast, there is more than a hint of Monty Python in the absurdist humour and fantastical situations, making for a very entertaining watch. Catch it at the New Era Theatre in Wash Common.

New Era stages Eugène Ionesco: A Titan of Absurd Theatre

Eugène Ionesco, a prominent figure in the theatre of the absurd, stands as a colossal influence in the world of drama, says New Era Players’ Sally Hall. His plays, characterised by their unconventional narratives and satirical undertones, continue to resonate with audiences around the globe, and their latest production of ‘Here Comes A Chopper’ is no exception.

Ionesco has a distinctive style, blending elements of the surreal with biting social commentary, and the Wash Common amateur dramatics group’s March production will certainly make audiences sit up in their seats as they recognise just what is going on. Because, written in 1970, this play seems eerily familiar, as a town goes into lockdown, ravaged by a pandemic.

“Ionesco was well known for his absurdist plays, and this one has a flavour of Monty Pythonesque humour as characters talk at cross purposes and carry out ridiculous conversations while the action is positively slapstick. It makes us realise the absurdity of the human condition, and how quickly our social structures can break down,” Sally explains.

“Ionesco's plays have been translated into numerous languages and continue to be performed worldwide, a testament to their enduring relevance. New Era Players are maintaining their reputation for providing a wide variety of drama not often seen on the amateur stage; the large ensemble cast are having a great deal of fun in rehearsal in Wash Common!

“Come and join us for this fascinating, amusing and somewhat disturbing piece of theatre.”

The production runs from March 13 to 15 and 18 to 22 at New Era Theatre, Andover Road, Wash Common.

Tickets are £15 each and available online from ticketsource.co.uk/new-era-players.

All other enquiries to boxoffice@neweraplayers.org or phone 07919 916009.