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The Complete Plays of Charles Ludlam

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Charles Ludlam's Theater of the Ridiculous was one of the pioneering gay theater companies of the twentieth century. This book is a collection of all the plays Ludlam wrote through his career.

His breakthrough play Camille is included in this text. Camille was his first major success. Written in 1975, Camille is a loving adaptation of Alexander Dumas' Camille. Ludlam's Camille follows the story of the original very closely, but he adds modern touches to make the humour more contemporary. For anyone who is not familiar with the story of Camille, the action takes place in Paris around 1865. Marguerite Gautier is the Lady of the Camillias. In the opening of the play, we find out that Marguerite has Tuberculosis, and has only a few months to live. She lives her life as a kept woman, allowing anyone to pay for her living expenses for a couple of nights of pleasure. Instead of listening to her doctor and taking care of herself, she drinks and throws lavish parties. Everything goes well until she falls in love with a penniless young man. Camille is a wonderful camp melodrama with some beautifully touching moments. The script reads like poetry, I would recommend Camille to anyone.

Also included in this volume is The Mystery of Irma Vepp, Ludlam's biggest success. Irma Vepp is a gothic horror play set in a dark old castle crawling with every classic monster one could imagine. There are wherewolves, mummies, and of course vampires. The play is cast with only two actors, requiring endless amounts of quick changes. The play is fast, furious and a pleasure to read.

Ludlam's career spanned only about 20 years, but there has been a resurging interest in his work lately. This book is perfect for anyone interested in the history of theater or gay writers of the twentieth century.

This weighty doorstop of a book is an unbelievable bargain-- thousands of laughs for a penny per. If you haven't discovered Ludlam, you're in for a treat: here are dozens of plays that define "Theatre of the Ridiculous," his gift to the world. Alternately high-brow and vulgar, bitingly acid and borscht-belt broad, each play represents a work-shopped jewel that will make you laugh out loud. His great successes (Mystery of Irma Vep, Turds in Hell, Camille, Elephant Balls, CORN, Bluebeard, many more) and lots of fascinating misfires are all worthy of performance in your head, with you playing all the parts.

No joke, everyone who loves theatre and laughter should have this book. Ludlam belongs on your shelf beside Stoppard, Orton, Durang, and Shakespeare. Rest in peace, Charles, and thanks for all the yuks!