Property Man: There's the green one. Stepdaughter: No, no! Green wont do. It was yellow, ornamented with flowers-very large! And most comfortable! Property Man: There isnt one like that. Manager: It doesnt matter. Use the one weve got. Stepdaughter: Doesnt matter? Its most important!Manager: We're only trying it now. Please don't interfere. Six Characters shows that perception is constantly changing, both over time and amongst different people, and sets out to depict this instability and state of flux on the stage. At no point can the audience relax, as Pirandello systematically disrupts the action, to create and sustain the illusion of reality. As the Son solemnly relates the events of the past, with the full attention of the audience and Actors, there is a sudden revolver shot, and the theatre is thrown into pandemonium. The audience or reader is repeatedly drawn in, then pulled away from the action. The play uses aspects of naturalism, such as the realistic stage setting, behavior, and dialogue, then presents its shortcomings. The Father is led by 'wretched needs,' implying he was a slave to his instincts, driven by animalistic motives. However, the play also presents a satire on 'natural acting, when no-one can hear the hushed conversation of the Stepdaughter with Madame Pace the Manager argues that they must observe the conventions of the theater. The Leading Lady announces cattily that she will be dressed "much more appropriately" than the character herself! Six Characters in Search of an Author is a very disturbing, strange play. Although the ideal family is close knit and loving, the characters in this family are anything but loving towards each other, and show what any familys worst nightmare could be. Pirandello uses the different forms of reality and unreality in the play to create confusion and disharmony. The characters, who are desperately in search of their pur...
