Slawomir Mrozek
translated by Brea Maurice

The plot of The Ambassador unfolds in a foreign embassy within the borders of a “mythical” host super-power. The Ambassador within this embassy has been duped by the host country into believing that his homeland is still alive and well; and that it continues to pose a threat to the host country. But in reality — and unbeknownst to the hapless Ambassador — his own country has “imploded” and no longer exists. The host nation has kept up the ruse of an international threat alive in order to continue to erode civil liberties (an absurd notion indeed!). Unfortunately, a refugee finds his way into the embassy and demands asylum. When the Ambassador tries to comply with the refugee’s wishes, he discovers the fate of his own country. He is subsequently confronted with a choice: complicity in the deception or facing consequences. Not just a political statement, this play also tackles the perplexing notions of faith and belief, as they relate to both spirituality and temporality. The Ambassador has played to huge success throughout Europe, and this translation received its English language premiere at Theatre Inconnu and is the latest addition to the Inconnu Drama series.

Slawomir Mrozek is one of the great world dramatists, having produced 40 plays in the last 40 years. He is the most widely produced Polish playwright both outside and inside Poland, and is credited as having helped shape the course of modern absurdist drama.