After last year’s successful run of Bariona, Theatrencore is this year venturing into new territory.

One of the masterpieces of the theatre of the absurd – Eugène Ionesco’s Exit the King – is being staged by Theatrencore next week.

Ionesco presents us with the belligerent King Berenger the first who was able to command nature and force others to obey his will. He is informed that he is dying, and the kingdom is likewise crumbling around him. Berenger’s first wife, Marguerite, along with the Doctor, tries to make Berenger face the reality of his death.

Berenger’s second wife, Marie, sympathetically attempts to keep Berenger from the pain of knowing his death is close-by.

The New York Times has described this play as being “Ionesco’s incomparably greatest work”. Although Ionesco was born in Romania, he became a French citizen and wrote his works in French, making him one of the most important dramatists of 20th century French literature.

Exit the King starts off as a fast-paced comedy with strong elements of the burlesque: the audience has a guarantee that like the king it will die... laughing.

Exit the King, translated by Donald Watson, is being directed by Tyrone Grima and the cast includes Malcolm Galea, in the title role of the King, together with Monica Attard, Stephanie Bugeja, Chris Galea, Nadine Genovese and Mik Pisani.

• Exit the King is being staged at St James Cavalier on November 4-6 at 8 p.m. Tickets may be obtained by phone on 2122 3216 or online: www.sjcav.org.