Things I would like to mention if the prompt allows it.

The Dumb Waiter

Genre

TItle

One act. Real Time. Theatre of the Absurd. Has been called a comedy of
menace. Interesting categorization. The title Comedy of Menace immediately
brings contradictions to mind, because comedy is generally something that
makes people laugh, and the word "menace" implies something threatening.
Quite literally, then, this phrase involves laughing at an ominous situation.
(courtesy of Wise Geek)
Has relevant characteristics of T of A: dialogue seems to have degenerated
into meaningless babble/starts at an arbitrary point and ends at an arbitrary
point/everyday conversation is largely devoid of logic and reason (almost
makes it realistic: audience can follow rhythm and intent)
Difficult to categorize structure. Potentially Media res (no exposition. Starts
at an arbitrary point). However, it is also complete in a sense.
Interesting title. Enigmatic? Connotations. A dumb waiter is an actual item
<critical prop?>. Also has the connotation of dumb (unable to speak/not
intelligent) and waiter (a server/sense of one who waits as well)

Role of/ challenges for Audience

Audience is subjected to/engaged by disjointed fast dialogue and lingering
silencesmakes audience question what they have just seen and speculating
about what is to come. Audience must use imagination and deal with
frustration and uncertainty. Audience must make sense of it in both a literal
and metaphorical sense.
Audience understands in retrospect.
Secondary Text
Secondary text: useful as it directs silencesand fills the silence with
gestures and actions for the actors
Comedic Elements
Element of comedy is present. Can be termed black comedy. Example is the
kettle argument. Some of the repeated dialogue is comedic simply due to its
repetition.
Elements of comedy of menaceaudience feels the urge to laugh in spite of
the undercurrent of violence and lack of communication. (early reference to
puke is carried throughout)
Violent Elements
Violence is present in several ways. Their job is violent. The newspaper
articles are violent. The ending is violent. Language is violent. Physicality can
be implicitly violent although and explicitly violent near the end (Ben hit Gus
viciously on the shoulder). Ending is potentially violent. Gus is stripped of

jacket, waistcoat, tie, holster and revolver when he enters stoopedhow

did that happen?
Setting
Setting: basement room. Resembles a prison cell (suggests that the
characters are being punished for their crimes?). Sparse set. No lighting
changes.
Exits act to control the pace, Lavatory and door. Serving hatch is between
their beds (suggestive of what might happen: the division between the two
characters?) The slow lavatory is interesting. Can frustrate the audience.
What does it suggest? Why does it flush when it does?
Characters
Two on stage characters. One offstage character <assume that it is Wilson
who gives the orders through the speaking tube>
Opening moments suggest that Gus is somewhat distracted and perhaps not
as intelligent as Ben. He is tying his shoelaces with difficulty. Ben is
involved with his paperindicating that he is at least capable of reading!
Ben is in charge and does not question. Gus is less certain and does
question. Although it appears that Ben is dominant, there is some interplay
that indicates shifting power at moments.
Wilson is the boss. Audience assumes that it is he who gives directions
through the speaking tube. Not challenged by either Ben or Gus although Gus
does raise questions to Ben about Wilson and about the last one (the
girl).Ben shuts him down (the obedient worker)
Dialogue and Silence
Silence is important throughout. Creates dramatic tension. Often makes
audience consider subtext and create meaning and connections.
Begins with silence and actions. First word is not a worda rather
meaningless expression Kaw followed by another pause. At times, the
dialogue actually creates subtext (the kettle versus gasthe choice of food
items)
Repetition is used to create tension and demonstrates meaningless and lack
of connections.
Dialogue often uses stichomythiarapida contrast to the use of silence.
Interesting moment when Ben gives the instructions (which Gus will have
heard many times before). (Ben frowns and presses his forehead. Gus
comments Youve missed something out. Ben comments I know. What?).
Operates as foreshadowing?
Props
Props are significant. Dumb Waiter is critical. Also uses newspaper (black on
white), crockery (black and white), matches, cigarettes.. Some are used for
actions and activities. Newspaper articles are suggestive of the underlying
exploration of violence and the potential for human beings to treat one
another as victims and used at critical moments. Interesting that the
matches and letter appear (as if from above..one useful itemand an
order)

Bed-sheets (Gus accepts that it could be his pong rather than shoddy
treatment by Wilson)
Props can also be interpreted symbolically, adding to the subtext.
The food ordered can also be interpreted symbolically as the requests start
with simple items such as chips and steak and end up with much more
complex items such as Ormitha Macarounada. Both are impossible, of course,
but the later requests are much more impossible!

Ending
Ambiguous endingThey stare at each other
Each audience member must finish the play..cannot help doing it
audience must end up talking about it
Ideas/Themes
Real communication is nearly impossible (Light the kettleLight the gas)
Alienation of the individual from himself and from others.
Willingness to accept unequal power relationships. Concept of the boss and
the underling-the underling accepts orders and gives up whatever is asked.
Question of authority and how it operates as a social construct even when
individuals are placed in positions which might/should cause rejection of
orders. Can be linked to capitalist idea of boss and worker/can also be linked
to broader issue of acceptance of authority no matter what.
Quotes that are interesting (there are many more)
Ben: Its enough to make you want to puke, isnt it?
Ben: Its down here in black and white
Gus: How can you light a kettle?
Ben: Light the kettle! Its a figure of speech. (Later he comments Its
common usage)
Ben: Stop wondering and shut up. Youve got a job to do.
Gus: whos it going to be tonight?
Gus..it was that girl made me start to think
Ben: Wed better send something up
Gus: We send him up all weve got and hes not satisfied.
Gus: Why did he send us matches if he knew there was no gas?
Ben: Understood. Repeat. He has arrived and will be coming in straight
away. The normal method to be employed. Understood.