logo

47 pages 1 hour read

Six Characters in Search of an Author

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1921

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Act 1Act Summaries & Analyses

Act 1 Summary

The play begins with the curtain up and the stage set as if the company were in the middle of a rehearsal for Luigi Pirandello’s Mixing It Up. The actors and the Manager arrive and start rehearsal.

During the rehearsal, the Prompter interrupts to point out that the Leading Man should be wearing a cook’s cap. The Leading Man protests that it is too ridiculous. The Manager responds by complaining about the low-quality comedies the company must put on because of a lack of good French comedies. He does insist that the Leading Man wears the hat, as it is a part of the symbolism of the play.

As the company resumes the run, the six characters enter from the back of the stage and interrupt rehearsal. The Manager asks what they want, and the Father states that they are searching for an author to put on their drama. The Manager says that there is no author present, as they are rehearsing a published play. The Father asks if the Manager would be their author. The Manager calls the characters mad.

The Father sees this absurdity as an attractive aspect for artists.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 47 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools