A second act, 45 years later. Edward Albee’s first play, The Zoo Story, featured two strangers, Peter and Jerry, in a one-act story set in 1959. In 2004, the American playwright came back with At Home At The Zoo, which takes place right before the first one.
Presented by Joe Theatre, it’s a time travel experience that can be enjoyed even if you’ve never seen The Zoo Story. Really contemporary in its dialogue, it features endearing characters, vintage costumes, and a real sense of proximity.
But in this zoo, do not expect exotic gorillas. The animals are human. Directed by James Litchfield, the play takes place in a blacked-out setting, featuring a classic couple’s living room.
Thomas Rolls’ production design features a ‘cage’ containing a couch, a table, and bottles of spirits. It’s minimalism at its finest, but it feels just enough. The audience is eager to contemplate what this weird species is talking about.
Speaking of couples, the whole story revolves around two characters. Two married people who have two daughters, two birds, two microwaves. And two different needs.
The play stars Helana Sawires as Ann, Will Johnston as Peter, with the explosive appearance of Evan Lever as Jerry in Act Two.
“We should talk.” Three words, but not the ones you usually want to hear in a relationship. And yet, this is how the play starts. Immersed in his book, Peter doesn’t even answer his wife’s urge to speak. How relatable.
This is the best part of the play: it feels familiar. Sometimes almost predictable, because we’ve all been there: talking about our relationship needs and what could be improved.
Watching the play feels like listening to a real couple’s argument. You forget it’s even a play. All the clichés are there: the husband who doesn’t listen. The wife who’s a bit of a drama queen. The fear of never finding what you really need.
As you enter this rollercoaster, it reminds us of our past (or present) relationship. The audience laughs. The actors talk about sex, dreams, and fears. It’s a whole whirlwind of emotions.
Just like John Gray’s book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, Ann and Peter do not understand each other. At Home At The Zoo portrays classic couple fights and doubts, as Ann is struggling with not feeling desired enough by her man.
As the story progresses, you can clearly see Ann and Peter want different things. Marriage doesn’t always mean perfection. You have to make it work through communication. But in the end, aren’t we all just unsatisfied animals?
A good play doesn’t feel like it’s a play at all. Edward Albee’s At Home At The Zoo achieves this mission, as the room just went with it.
Edward Albee’s At Home At The Zoo is presented by Joe Theatre and runs to 30 May at Flight Path Theatre. 9b/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/at-home-at-the-zoo
Website: https://www.flightpaththeatre.org/whats-on/at-home-at-the-zoo
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/joe.theatre/ and https://www.instagram.com/p/DYbFGdjJHGz/
Images supplied.
