1912- . Romanian-born French dramatist, a
leading exponent of the Theatre of the
Absurd. Most of his plays are in one act and
concern the futility of language as a means
of communication. These include La Cantatrice
chauve/The Bald Prima Donna 1950 and La
Lecon/The Lesson 1951. Later full-length
plays include Rhinoceros 1958 and Le Roi se
meurt/Exit the King 1961. He has also written
memoirs and a novel, Le Solitaire/The Hermit
1973.