ABSTRACT
Absurd Person Singular exploits the technique of ‘off-stage action’ for comic effect but also explores a central, more serious theme: the contrast between public and private lives. The framing action at the start emphasises her nervousness. With off-stage action, however, we are being asked to imagine that events are going on simultaneously and interacting with the overt focus of the onstage action. The on-stage action necessarily relates to what is happening off-stage so there is an automatic focus: causality, reactions to events and the nature of relationships can all be explored by this oblique approach. Because the convention works by leaving the off-stage action to the imagination, it is a very clear example of an oblique approach to drama. G. Bolton draws a parallel between the ‘managing’ or ‘working at’ social situations which occurs in real life and the process of engaging in dramatic playing activity.
