STRIP-TEASE (2013)

a chamber opera in one act

By Dylan Schneider

After a play by Sławomir Mrożek

SYNOPSIS

PART I

As the opera begins, two identically dressed office workers with briefcases (Mr. A and Mr. B) are seen to have been cast into an empty room through two doors, now slightly ajar. The men compare notes about how they arrived here from separate directions. Both had heard similar menacing sounds (like “a gigantic buzz saw”) and were thrown to the ground by an unknown force.

They quarrel about whether or not they are perhaps free to leave. Mr. A prefers to “stay put” to see if the “situation will resolve itself” whereas Mr. B wants to “leave right now.” In a brief exchange, they agree on one thing: they appear to be helpless. They debate about escaping and about the nature of freedom. Mr. B. urges Mr. A. to join him in an escape to freedom. In his aria (“What is Freedom?”), Mr. A argues that he’s more free by staying put because he will have chosen to stay. Mr. B announces that he’s leaving.

PART II

But as Mr. B announces that he’s leaving, both doors close slowly. Mr. B. takes off a shoe and pounds on a wall when a HAND of supernatural size enters through one of the doors. Thus the strip-tease begins. The HAND gestures to the shoe, which Mr. B. gives over. The HAND exits and returns without the shoe, but gestures for the other one. Taking that one out, the HAND returns to take away Mr. B’s belt. Moments later, the HAND orders Mr. A. to do the same. With the HAND out of the room, the two men discuss what has happened. They agree that the situation might be somewhat hopeful, for they surmise that the HAND wants them alive, having taken their belts so the men would not hang themselves. The HAND returns and demands first the jackets, then the trousers of each man. Each is now down to his underpants. The HAND then handcuffs the two men together. The men argue whether apologizing to the HAND would be wise. Mr. B. favors an apology. The HAND returns, and both men rush over to apologize (Aria: “Dear and Most Honorable Hand”). A SECOND, even more menacing HAND appears, covered by a red glove. The FIRST HAND covers the men’s heads with conical cardboard hoods. Groping blindly for their briefcases, the men pick them up and follow the SECOND HAND through one of the doors. Blackout.

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