The Balcony

Irma is the owner of the brothel the Grand Balcony, also known as the “House of Illusions.” She connects clients with prostitutes and ensures that their elaborate fantasies are met. Irma does not allow her girls to laugh or to talk about their work, and she watches them via a closed-circuit device so that she can maintain control over their interactions with clients. She agrees to portray the Queen near the end of the play in an effort to maintain order and stability in the city. 

Carmen is Irma’s bookkeeper, but formerly worked for her as one of the prostitutes. She is unhappy with her new role, even hinting occasionally that she preferred working as a prostitute. But she also dislikes Irma’s iron control over the girls and how they cannot talk or laugh about their work. Carmen has a daughter somewhere in the city. During the play, her only wish is to escape and find her. 

George is the Chief of Police. He has visions of grandiosity despite being incredibly vain and insecure. His greatest wish, as a freemason with an ambition for political power, is that one day his political subjects will commemorate him through the construction of an elaborate tomb.