Review: RHINOCEROS, Almeida Theatre

Photo credit: Marc Brenner

In a provincial town in France, everyone is turning into a rhinoceros. Well, not quite everyone. Berenger (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù) is most definitely not, but what does it all mean?

Rhinoceros is absurd. It’s meant to be. It starts with a logician (John Biddle) asking us to jump. He goes on to reassure us that theatre will catch us, and it does, to a certain extent. As the audience happily suspend belief, the outstanding cast deliver the story of rhinoceritis with perfect comic timing. There are some very engaging sections which rely heavily on physical comedy, with the cast moving in unison, providing a pleasing rhythm and a focus on pattern. There’s also a section where cast members become foley artists providing sound effects for the cast members on stage, which is incredibly effective. Sadly, these elements are both fleeting, and the play could benefit from both of these being used more often.

There is some audience participation which helps with engagement and tongue in cheek narration helping to keep the story on track. Rhinoceros is witty, with the intentional over-interpretation of Ionesco’s stage directions raising the biggest laughs, though these do smack of ‘laughing at’, rather than ‘laughing with’.

With a whitewash stage and very simple staging, we are expected to fill the gaps with our imagination, but unfortunately the messaging is somewhat lacklustre and many gaps remain. Ionesco’s play is about conforming and hysteria. A surreal look at our moral code, evoking a sense of unease. However, these ideas are not fully realised in this adaptation. It feels like a wasted opportunity, as the punchy messaging in Ionesco’s original work is watered down, with the focus very much on the rhinoceroses and less so on the reasons for them.

Joshua McGuire as Berenger’s pal Jean is scene-stealing good, as is Hayley Carmichael, raising laughter with just her facial expression at times. The whole cast are impressive and are evidently enjoying being part of this farcical telling of the rhinoceritis epidemic but unfortunately, this adaptation lacks the weight needed to deliver the ever-pertinent anti-conformist messaging with any impact.

** Two stars

Reviewed by: Cara Brazier

Rhinoceros plays at London’s Almeida Theatre until 26 April, with further info here.