Exit the King

Exit the King is an absurdist drama by Eugene Ionesco about King Berenger, and his first older wife, Queen Marguerite, his new young wife, Queen Marie, and the struggle for control over power and life and death. Berenger is dying and refuses to admit that, and slowly loses physical and mental capabilities. Marguerite and the Doctor, try to make him see what’s happening, and when Berenger eventually admits his impending fate, he lapses into sentimentality. The cast of characters disappear one by one, eventually leaving the king, now speechless, alone with Marguerite who prepares him for the end, and he is enveloped in darkness.

The concept of each character existing in their own time and place was a fascinating idea of styles and colors. Abigail designed the costumes to reflect this idea of each character trying to control their own lives, and being so caught up, they are completely disassociated from each other in style.