Rhinoceroses Roar at the Singapore Arts Festival 08 Do have the following symptoms – high fever, rough skin, heavy breathing or a hoarse voice? For soon you might discover a small bump above your nose, your skin will turn into a nasty shade of green and your pyjamas will itch. Beware! You’re in danger of turning into a rhinoceros!

Rhinoceroses Roar at the Singapore Arts Festival 08In writer-director Zizi Azah’s adaptation of Rhinoceros, Berenger the male protagonist wrestles the reality of being the last human being in the town when the townspeople turn into rhinoceroses one by one.


Relationships undergo the test of endurance when arguments and transformations take place after some of the townspeople witness rhinoceroses trampling about, even killing a cat. “Whatever is it?” they question.


Opposing opinions and conflicting values take the stage, making a ruckus and leaving the townspeople wondering “Asiatic or African rhino? African or Asiatic rhino?” they echo. Realist Berenger finds himself raging against the rationalist’s argument that theirs is an “infallible system of interpretations”.

Rhinoceroses Roar at the Singapore Arts Festival 08Watch out for the exciting transformation of Jean, Berenger’s best friend. 

 

No, this Jean does not turn into a phoenix (like Jean Grey in X-Men II), but the equally explosive metamorphosis sparks Berenger’s realisation that his worst fears are coming true. Word of caution: Stay well out of Jean’s way as she chants “trample you down” and “demolish the lot”. Do we need to move with the times? Return back to nature? Who are the real people – Berenger or the Rhinos? Morbid love fades against the energy emanating from the Rhinos, causing Berenger to suffer yet another loss.


 

Rhinoceroses Roar at the Singapore Arts Festival 08Strangled by his inner conflict “To rhinoceros or not to rhinoceros”, he talks through his dilemma by confronting the desire to be like the others. Finally, Berenger decides it’s time for him to “fulfil his duty” and fight against the rhinoceroses. “I am not capitulating,” he shouts with conviction.

 

By the end of the play, “you’ll like to be a rhino too”, seeing how one can just return to nature without the worries of the world. UrbanWire ecommends you to catch the play and decide for yourself if you should join the rhinoceroses or fight with Berenger. 

 

Written in 1959 by Eugène Ionesco; nominee for Best Original Script at the 2007 Life! Theatre Awards, Zizi Azah, explores the themes of assimilation and morality in her adaptation of Rhinoceros. Rhinoceros is part of Full Frontal, a platform for rising directors at the Singapore Arts Festival.

 

Details
12 – 13 June, 8pm
Esplanade Theatre Studio
S$28
95 mins (no intermission)


Cast List
Berenger – Rodney Oliveiro
Jean – Karen Tan
Logician & Dudard– Tan Shou Chen
Daisy – Anjana Srinivasan
Botard & Old Gentleman – Melvinder Kanth
Pappillon & Waitress – Serene Chan
Mrs Boeuf & Housewife – Kalai Grace

Images courtesy of the National Arts Council.

This article is part of UrbanWire’s 9-week Singapore Arts Festival 2008 special. Get all the latest Arts Fest updates and reviews on UrbanWire.