Thus, the people in this play spend much time reminding one another what they had for breakfast, and being drawn into long, confused arguments about whether a ringing doorbell means somebody is outside, or nobody is outside; the three days of the week are revealed to be Tuesday, Thursday and Tuesday; a confused clock strikes far more often than is strictly polite.

Ionesco was baffled when the first performance of the play met with audience laughter; he had not realised the comedic value of the childlike nonsense he had created.

The play was originally to be called The English, but Ionesco did not want it viewed as a satire. The title he settled on is far more appropriate, since there are no prima donnas in the play, and no-one is bald.

Carry On Up The Nihil.