CockSquat: The Bald Prima Donna

(I've re- submitted this show as I forgot to add the dates)



Story telling, nonsensical poetry and meaningless banter...
We are a non-profit London based theatre company founded in January 2012 by two graduates of London Metropolitan University, Ashleigh Owen and Christina Kruzewski.

We integrate physical theatre, music theatre, slapstick comedy and absurdism into our performances, making sure that they contain something that everybody can enjoy. We incorporate a unique, melodramatic, fresh and modern twist on texts that are normally performed ‘straight’, giving them new life and spontaneity. As a company we focus strongly on exploring and developing the comedic aspects of performance. We are influenced by Stephen Berkoff, Charlie Chaplin, Frantic Assembly, DV8, Martin & Lewis and musical theatre.

Our debut performance of 'The Bald Prima Donna' was performed to two sold out audiences on both 13th and 14th May 2012 at The Coach Makers, Marylebone. 'The Bald Prima Donna' is an absurdist play written by Eugene Ionesco. It is a satirical representation of the ignorant English upper class in the 1950s. It was first performed at The Arts Theatre Club, London on 6th November 1956 and was directed by Peter Wood.

The Smiths are joined by the Martins for a typically English dinner party at their typically English home: “We had a very good meal this evening and that’s because we are English, that’s because we live in a suburb of London and because our name is Smith.”

The Captain of The Fire Brigade arrives unannounced in search of a fire that may need extinguishing; “business has been bad,” he confesses. Their evening consists of story telling, nonsensical poetry and meaningless banter. The absurdism within the piece is prominent throughout the text, and movement sequences. It is also heightened through our use of music and song. This is not the type of performance that requires the audience to follow the narrative closely, look for meaning or search for elements of symbolism. We advise you to sit back and embrace the madness.