The Ladies of the Corridor - Classic Text | Alexandria
The Ladies of the Corridor (1953) represents a significant yet often overlooked collaboration between playwright Arnaud d'Usseau and renowned American poet Dorothy Parker, offering a stark examination of women's lives in post-World War II urban America. This three-act drama, which premiered on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre, delves into the lives of middle-aged and elderly women residing in a New York City residential hotel, exploring themes of loneliness, aging, and female independence in mid-century America.
Arnaud d'Usseau (1916-1990), an American playwright and screenwriter, was already known for his socially conscious works, including "Deep Are the Roots" (1945), when he partnered with Parker on this compelling piece. The collaboration emerged during a particularly challenging period in American theater, as the industry grappled with McCarthyism and its chilling effect on artistic expression. D'Usseau himself had faced scrutiny from the House Un-American Activities Committee, adding a layer of political tension to the play's development.
The play's setting in a residential hotel - a common dwelling for single women in post-war America - serves as a microcosm for examining broader societal issues. Through its ensemble of characters, including widows, divorcées, and never-married women, the work presents a groundbreaking exploration of female aging and social isolation. While initially receiving mixed reviews, the play has gained retrospective appreciation for its ahead-of-its-time feminist perspectives and unflinching portrayal of women's struggles in mid-century American society.
Contemporary scholars have increasingly recognized "The Ladies of the Corridor" as a vital piece of American theater history, particularly for its examination of women's issues that would later become central to second-wave feminism. The play's themes of social invisibility, economic dependency, and the psychological impact of societal expectations on women continue to resonate with modern audiences and researchers. D'Usseau's collaboration with Parker remains a testament to their shared commitment to addressing social issues through dramatic art, while challenging the conventional theatrical narratives of their time.
The play's legacy persists through occasional revivals and academic study, offering valuable insights into both the social conditions of its era and the evolution of feminist theater. Its continued relevance raises intriguing questions about how society's treatment of aging women has - or hasn't - changed in the decades since its premiere.