The Balcony

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. He is frequently annoyed that the role of “the Chief of Police” is not one of the characters that is indulged at the Grand Balcony, particularly since he is Irma’s former lover and feels he should be indulged. He is overjoyed at the end of the play when Roger finally asks to play the role of the Chief of Police. Afterwards, Roger decides to stay in the brothel forever, his ultimate fantasy—being imitated—having been enacted.  

These three characters are played by different men who use the services of the brothel. They function as examples of the fantasies of power that men have. Until the rebellion becomes unmanageable, they are mere role-players. When they appear on the balcony with Irma as she becomes the Queen, they get a chance to live the roles they have only fantasized about. But they are meant to be seen as caricatures both of men and of the offices reflected by their titles. 

Chantal is a former prostitute who left the brothel after falling in love with a plumber, Roger. Roger is one of the revolutionaries. When the rebels decides that they want Chantal to be the icon of their cause, she is delighted and honored. It is a privilege to serve as the face of a movement that she supports. She loves Roger, but is less devoted to him than to the rebel ideology, as well as to her own desire for elevated status.