Jean Genet’s play, “The Balcony,” is an entertaining political and social satire centered around a brothel whose customers are men playing the roles of such institutional icons as a corporate official, a general, an archbishop, a judge, and a revolutionary leader. The villain in the play is the police chief who, in response to the question “who’s in charge?” provides the article of faith of every statist: “the police are always in charge!” The brothel’s madam is Irma, ably assisted by her bookkeeper, Carmen. After witnessing what appears to her as the exciting life within the brothel, Carmen informs Irma … Continue reading A View From “The Balcony”