Voices in the void: Meaninglessness and disconnection in Anthony Neilson's theatre

This study examines the plays The Wonderful World of Dissocia and Realism by contemporary British playwright Anthony Neilson within the context of the Theatre of the Absurd. Although Neilson is not traditionally classified as an absurdist writer, many fundamental features of the genre appear in his works. These include structural fragmentation, cyclical dialogues, abrupt scene transitions, repetition, silence, miscommunication, alienation, meaninglessness, and existential uncertainty. Neilson's characters struggle to navigate a reality surrounded by absurdity. Although they search for a meaningful life, the systems they inhabit frequently limit this search. This limitation demonstrates the core idea of the Theatre of the Absurd: the futility of seeking meaning. The scenes in Neilson's plays contain surreal, dreamlike, or grotesque elements. However, this is not an aesthetic choice; it also reveals Neilson's attempt to portray the psychological collapse and identity crisis of the modern individual. The plays deal with themes such as mental health issues, social isolation, and the oppressive nature of modern systems. Through his language and stylistic choices, Neilson demonstrates how absurd theatre has evolved into new forms in the contemporary British literature. This study analyses The Wonderful World of Dissocia and Realism in light of Martin Esslin's theory of the absurd and the historical development of British theatre. It also evaluates the reflection of the social transformation of Neilson's age in his works. As a result, the study identifies the absurdist elements within Neilson's plays. Keywords: Theatre of the Absurd, Anthony Neilson, Meaninglessness, Alienation, Engagement