Meaning of Theatre Of The Absurd by Madness

The Madness song titled 'Theatre Of The Absurd' is a deep and intriguing track that dives into the world of black comedy and the absurdity of life. It takes us on a journey into a dark theater, where the audience anxiously awaits the cruelest comedy performance.At its core, the song explores the concept of life as a theater - a stage where we play different roles, wear various masks, and stumble through a plotless existence. The lyrics cleverly intertwine this idea with the theme of black comedy, emphasizing the absurdity and sometimes cruel nature of our experiences.One of the standout lyrics in the song is, "The orchestra strike up a song that no one's heard of, a story-line that no one knows to sing." This line captures the essence of the absurdity theme by highlighting the unpredictability and unfamiliarity of life's circumstances. It suggests that we often find ourselves in situations we have no preparation for, left to navigate through the uncharted territories of existence.Another notable lyric is, "A dozen roses no one sends, ooooh the cruelest comedy." Here, the song delves into the idea that life can often be disappointing and filled with missed opportunities. The absence of the roses symbolizes unfulfilled desires or unrequited love, pointing to the cruelty of life's ironies. It resonates with the theme of the absurd, as we may constantly yearn for certain things but never receive them, heightening the absurdity of our hopes and dreams.The line, "And from the wings and right on cue... the compere jumps up," adds an interesting layer to the song's themes. The compere can symbolize fate or destiny, orchestrating the events of our lives. The sudden appearance of the compere, seemingly out of nowhere, represents how life can take unexpected turns and throw us into unfamiliar situations. It reinforces the idea that our lives are like a carefully curated performance, executed by a mysterious force beyond our control.Overall, 'Theatre Of The Absurd' astutely explores the themes of life's absurdities and the cruel nature of comedy. It encourages us to reflect on the sometimes unpredictable, unfamiliar, and disappointing aspects of our existence. However, rather than being a somber reflection, the song presents these ideas in an imaginative and creative way, letting us appreciate the absurdities of life's theater and find humor even in the cruelest of situations.