Jean
Genet's The Balcony
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1. Breaking the serious atmosphere of work and discarding concern for their
survival in the face of civil war, Irma orders Carmen to help her transform
herself in anticipation of the arrival of the Chief of Police, to which Carmen
responds with alacritous glee.
2. A casual inquiry by Irma, however, catches Carmen off-guard, though she
is reassured that, for the moment, she is free from Irma's scrutiny.
3. Carmen allows herself to entertain the possibility of defecting to the
other side, but quickly catches herself.
4. Unfortunately, though, Irma's suspicion is alerted, forcing Carmen
to resign herself to the fact that, in her present position, she is
trapped with Irma, and so must swear loyalty publicly, even if, privately,
she still longs for escape.
5. Despite the chaos outside and the decidedly shifty behaviour of Carmen,
Irma's jewels, and the thought of the security they offer, disarm her.
6. As Irma decorates herself with her jewels, Carmen inadvertently confirms
to Irma that her loyalties are ambiguous.
7. Consequently, Irma decides to put Carmen in her place.
8. Sensing she is in real trouble, Carmen, mustering her best theatrical skills,
performs the loyal servant of the Balcony number in an entertaining, if somewhat
unconvincing, manner.
9. Fortunately for Carmen, the sounding of a bell dispels the air of confrontation
and gives Irma hope that the Chief has arrived safely, but it is only a customer
leaving, whom Irma berates before turning her attention to more serious matters.
10. Irma pragmatically assesses the situation outside.
11. Apparently satisfied that there is no immediate danger, Irma invites Carmen
to flatter her but realises Carmen isn't playing along.
12. She makes an attention-seeking demand for sympathy but Carmen maliciously
undercuts it.
13. Finally though, Carmen's allegiance forces her to oblige Irma in her little
game.
14. Bitter at the time it took Carmen to submit to her whims, Irma demeans
her, implying that, unlike Irma, perhaps Carmen will be safe if the revolution
is successful--all the time stalking her, threateningly.
15A. While Carmen maintains a nervous silence, Irma goes in for the kill,
. . .
15B. . . . but Carmen's affectionate submission confirms, to Irma's delight,
that their fate will be a shared one.
16. Irma starts another game, with which Carmen is obliged to play along enthusiastically.
17. Though carried away by the intensity of her own performance, Irma catches
herself for a moment, remembering Carmen's recent signs of disloyalty.
18. Irma decides to use this game to purge Carmen of her thoughts of betrayal.
19. Taking her cue from Carmen's suggestion of a new theme with which to embellish
their performance, Irma flippantly challenges Carmen and receives an outraged
response (as expected).
20. Irma deflates Carmen's apparent anger by selling the idea of the aestheticisation
of her experience.
21. Irma wonders how Carmen could desire anything else, but Carmen's expression
of devotion convinces Irma that she will stay with her, come what may, so,
somewhat hysterical with joy, Irma playfully imagines an even more absurd
picture of their fate together.
22. Laughing, Carmen tries to end their game, but this only makes Irma worse.
23. Finally, Carmen's concern calms Irma down, and Irma assures her that they
are safe, but the tardiness of the Chief is beginning to give her doubts.
