Event

Rhinoceros

@ Shank Theatre
November 14-21, 2015

Berenger is the ultimate anti-hero, and Rhinoceros the ultimate anti-play. Ionesco's iconic satire on mindless conformity brings to light the dangers of mass mediocrity and senselessness. This play is part psychological thriller, part absurdist farce; a suspenseful black comedy with a bite.

Over the course of three acts, the inhabitants of a small, provincial French town turn into rhinoceroses; ultimately the only human who does not succumb to this mass metamorphosis is the central character, Bérenger, a flustered everyman figure who is initially criticized the play for his drinking, tardiness, and slovenly lifestyle and then, later, for his increasing paranoia and obsession with the rhinoceroses. The play is often read as a response and criticism to the sudden upsurge of Communism, Fascism, and Nazism during the events preceding World War II, and explores the themes of conformity, culture, mass movements, mob mentality, philosophy and morality.

Performance Dates:
Saturday, Nov. 14 Preview
Tuesday, Nov. 17 Preview
Thursday, Nov. 19 Opening
Friday, Nov. 20
Saturday, Nov. 21

Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and there are NO EXCHANGES