About
Arthur Adamov, born Artur Adamian in 1908 in Kislovodsk (Russian Empire), settled in Paris in 1924. Close to Surrealism, he published an autobiographical narrative, L'Aveu (1946), before turning to theatre. With La Parodie (1950), L'Invasion (1950), and Le Professeur Taranne (1953), he became a major exponent of the Theatre of the Absurd. His best-known play, Le Ping-Pong (1955), uses a pinball machine as a metaphor for capitalism. In the 1960s, he moved toward a politically engaged theatre inspired by Brecht, with Paolo Paoli (1957) and Le Printemps 71 (1961). He died in Paris in 1970.
* 1908-08-23 — † 1970-03-15
Major works
- L'Aveu (1946)autobiographical narrative
- La Parodie (1950)play
- Le Professeur Taranne (1953)play
- Le Ping-Pong (1955)play
- Paolo Paoli (1957)play
Key milestones
- 1924Settles permanently in Paris.
- 1950His first play, La Parodie, is performed.
- 1960Adapts Gogol's Dead Souls for the stage.
Themes
alienationexistential anguishcritique of capitalismpolitical commitmentabsurdity of the human condition
Sources: britannica.com · catalogue.bnf.fr