By Brittany Greer

For The Observer

Rehearsals are underway for Northwest Mississippi Community College’s fall production of “Exit the King,” according to Terry Scott, Northwest Fine Arts technical director and director of the play.

“Exit the King” is an absurdist comedy by Eugene Ionesco that premiered in 1962. The play deals with the character of King Berenger who is an aging tyrant. The play’s themes of dealing with death and accepting one’s life are universal, according to Scott.

“Eugene Ionesco, who is acknowledged as one of the forerunners in the Absurdist movement, wrote ‘Exit the King’ after recovering from a serious illness,” Scott said. ‘His play appears to be a rumination on the inevitability of death. Death is the natural and inevitable consequence of life, and as such, is not absurd, but rather, perfectly rational.”

“Exit the King” recently closed on Broadway. Film and stage actor Geoffrey Rush, best known for his performance in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” won a 2009 Tony Award for his portrayal of King Berenger.

Northwest Theatre major Josh Chadwick of Hernando, who plays King Berenger in “Exit the King,” said the play is focused heavily toward the audience. 

“It is clear to the audience that this is a play,” he said. “The actors interact with the audience, unlike other plays where all the action takes place only on stage and the audience is not the focus.”

Chadwick said the play puts a humorous slant on death.

“The King must come to terms with his impending death,” Chadwick explained. “This play could be portrayed completely serious, but instead it makes you laugh at life.”

Chadwick, who acted in Northwest’s productions of "Tartuffe: Born Again," and “Hedda Gabler,” prepares for his performances by finding a quiet place to collect his thoughts.

“I enjoy acting,” he said. “I like portraying a character and engaging the audience.”

After Northwest, Chadwick plans to major in Theatre at the University of Southern Mississippi then move to New Orleans or Virginia and pursue an acting career in independent films.

Performance dates for the play are Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Senatobia campus. General admission is $5, and students and seniors are $2.

Cast members are Casey Davis of Olive Branch as guard; Trever Ayers of Hernando as guard; Rachel Bennett of Senatobia as guard; Josh Chadwick of Hernando as King Berenger; Heather Malone of Southaven as Marguerite; Lauren Malone of Southaven as Marie; Christine Garner of Horn Lake as Juliette; and Paige Billings of Southaven as doctor.

For more information, contact Scott at 662-562-3332 or e-mail tscott@northwestms.edu.