What characterizes Absurdist Theatre?

Absurdist Theatre is fundamentally defined by its exploration of the illogical and irrational aspects of human existence. This is characterized by disjointed dialogue that often lacks coherent structure and a narrative that emphasizes purposeless situations. In Absurdist plays, characters frequently find themselves in bizarre scenarios that highlight the futility of human efforts to find meaning in a chaotic world. This mirrors the philosophical underpinnings of absurdism as articulated by writers such as Samuel Beckett and Eugène Ionesco, who sought to depict the struggle for communication and understanding in the face of an indifferent universe.

The absence of a structured plot and conventional character development is a hallmark of this genre, as it seeks to challenge traditional theatre norms, thereby inviting audiences to reflect on the nature of existence itself rather than simply following a linear storyline or romantic narrative arc.