RHINOCEROS by Carol Kaufman Segal

            Rhinoceros was written in 1959 by Romanian-French playwright, Eugene Ionesco.  He wrote most of his plays in French, and they were branded among “The Theatre of the Absurd.”  However, there is more to this play than absurdity, and it is being presented in Los Angeles at an auspicious time by the Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice.

            Ionesco wrote this play as a backlash to the sudden events going on in the world when Communism, Fascism, and Nazism were flourishing.  As you watch this excellent production, you will understand the lying message that Ionesco was sending out as a warning against what was occurring in the world. 

            The play takes place in a small town in France.  It opens in a square where there is a lot of normal daily activity occurring among the townsfolk.  Eventually the scene focuses on Berenger (Keith Stevenson) seated at a table.  He is unkempt, and obviously feeling the consequences of too much alcohol.  Seated at the table with him is Jean (Alexander Fernandez, the acting name of Director Guillermo Cienfuegos, who also directs the production), Beringer’s dapper friend who is chastising him to no end over his slovenly appearance.

            All at once, without warning, the crowd hears a deafening sound of hooves as a herd of rhinoceroses plow through the area, knocking over chairs, tables, and people.  Everyone is stunned, and cannot figure out where the animals could possibly have come from.  Did they have one horn, or did they have two horns?  Were they from Africa or were they from Asia?

            As the play progresses, more and more rhinoceroses appear throughout the village, and over time,  more and more citizens are surrendering to the change of becoming rhinos, everyone including Beringer’s friend Jean,  When Beringer and his girlfriend Daisy (Carole Weyers) are the only two people left in the town, Beringer swears he will never accept the change while Daisy, who has submitted the same to him, eventually falls in line with the crowd leaving Beringer the only human remaining in a crowd of rhinoceroses. 

            Though there is a serious message in this play, it is not without a lot of humor.   Cienfuegos directs a perfect cast.   David Mauer deserves kudos for a wonderful set, as does Christopher Moscatiello for the sound design.

            Rhinoceros plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM, through September 10, at Pacific Resident Theatre located at 703 Venice Blvd, in Venice.  Tickets are available online at www.pacificresidenttheatre, or by calling (310) 822-8392.

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