The Great Theatre of the World

THE GREAT THEATRE OF THE WORLD

This evening there will be a bright performance
The Great Theatre of the World
The new production of this ancient play
Is anticipated by the audience
The hall is full of absolute silence
The Opera is filled to capacity
Then the heavy velvet curtain finally rises
To thundering applause
The director steps onto the stage now
In his majestic speech he sincerely greets the public
And warmly welcomes them to the 'Play of Life'

Then first of all the author appears there
According to the author's will
Each actor is assigned a character
The world provides each
With costumes and props
The play's about an emperor
Who's forming a hierarchical society
In the knowledge that nothing can exist
Without clear public order
With assistance from the rich
And the council of the wise
Surrounded by the beauties
He keeps the poor quiet
The children naive and the farmers in his debt

He finally achieved his constant order
To protect against any change
He constructs a big bulwark, the great wall
Disappointment spreads among the public now
The crowd is breaking out into loud protests
They think the play's stereotypical
Then the heavy velvet curtain suddenly falls
Accompanied by boos
The director steps back onto the stage now
He soothes his infuriated public in calm words
And announces he will change the 'Play of Life'

In glittering light, the author appears again
According to the author's will
Each role is left up to the actors now
And the world lets them choose
Own costume and props
The play is now about its subjects
Shifting the hierarchical society
In the knowledge that nothing new arises
Without large public chaos
They tear down the great wall
His apparently firm bulwark
Without considering
The new order lacks any basis
This breakdown completely enrages the audience