THE ZOO STORY. Written by Edward Albee. Directed by Chris Weare. Performed by Michael Mackenzie and Francois Immelman. Theatre Arts.
MEGAN CHORITZ reviews
A man, Peter, sits on a bench in Central Park, reading. Then Jerry comes along, and things get weird. Really weird.
Edward Albee’s gripping and disturbing text has not aged or dated. Every disjoint of human emotion, every loneliness and madness, every fear and frustration feel more relevant today than it did the last time I saw this short but powerful piece.
Director Chris Weare knows what he is doing. He conducts this production. The performances are precise and articulate, with absolute attention to detail. There is also a grand vision, building through beats and tensions, until its inevitable and heart-breaking conclusion.
But it is the performers who turn this piece into a masterpiece. Francois and Michael are the perfect scene partners. They listen and respond. They are so in tune with each other the play is like a dance. I loved watching them, and I felt all the feels, because of how deeply sensitively they work together. Yes, they have the skills and technique, but it is the dance of two perfectly aligned partners that make riveting magic.
The Theatre Arts in Observatory is also the perfect venue for this tiny piece of excellent theatre. A simple bench and autumn leaves become an entire world.
Don’t miss it.
What: Zoo Story
Where and when: Theatre Arts until Sunday 13 April
Tickets: Theatre Arts
WS
