"Exit the King"

March 5, 2017 — The king is dying and he's resisting it with everything he has. In spite of what his physician confirms, he refuses to believe it. His first wife is unsympathetic and believes he should let go. She even holds up a copy of the program proving he's going to die at the end of the play. His current wife is heartbroken and urges him to fight on. The palace cleaning lady is indifferent. The palace guard may have the most difficult role because he has to stand in one position for most of the 100-minute performance.

In a play that seemed made for their original and innovative style, theatre KAPOW presented "Exit the King" by Eugène Ionesco, translated by Donald Watson, at the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire. Nine-time New Hampshire Theatre Award nominee (he's overdue) Peter Josephson owns the show in his tour de force turn as King Berenger the First. Carey Cahoon, winner of the 2014 NH Theatre Award for best actress, portrays the King's first wife, Queen Marguerite. The king's second and current wife, Queen Marie, is played by Emily Karel. Tall, stern, imposing Rich Hurley is the doctor who has nothing encouraging to offer the king as to his health. Paige Lussier Johnson is Juliette the palace cleaning lady and cook, and Jimmy Stewart is the patient and loyal guard.

This comedy about death invokes chuckles and amusement rather than belly laughs. There's something very human in the king's denial of his own demise. Like most of us, he can't imagine not existing and doggedly denies predictions of his end, which may occur in barely more than an hour. His current wife, Marie, shares in his denial. But it's his first wife, Marguerite, who gently guides him through the journey to the unknown in the final minutes of the play.

Matt Cahoon, tKAPOW co-founder, directed this performance, assisted by Sue Tartarilla, and he also designed the simple but attractive set. The multi-talented Carey Cahoon designed the costumes. Once again, Tayva Young, winner of the 2015 NH Theatre Award for Best Lighting Design, enhanced a tKAPOW presentation with her effective use of lighting.