"Ubu" by Adam Szymkowicz is a contemporary short play (or adaptation) that riffs on Alfred Jarry’s satirical absurdist classic Ubu Roi. Szymkowicz, a prolific American playwright known for witty, accessible short works and adaptations, often writes pieces suitable for festivals, classroom productions, and community theaters. His versions typically preserve Jarry’s grotesque satire and anarchic humor while updating language, pacing, or context to suit modern small-cast productions.
For example, one stage direction simply reads: “Ubu eats. The stage darkens slightly.” In context, this is terrifying. Szymkowicz knows that gluttony isn’t funny anymore—it’s consumption as a horror film. ubu by adam szymkowicz pdf
Q: Can I perform “Ubu” in my high school? A: Yes, but you must apply for a license. The play contains mature themes (violence, scatological humor) so check with the publisher regarding high school suitability. Overview — Ubu (Adam Szymkowicz) "Ubu" by Adam
In the vast ecosystem of contemporary American theatre, few playwrights capture the awkward pauses, manic desperation, and darkly comic underbelly of human connection quite like Adam Szymkowicz. While he is best known for works like Heartland and Pretty Theft, a cult following has grown around one of his most savage and chaotic pieces: “Ubu.” Pa Ubu: The protagonist/antagonist
Purchase/Read: The 25-page script is available as a Kindle eBook on Amazon.