INTRODUCING PART II OF THE BEAST TRILOGY…
RHINOCEROS
by Eugene Ionesco, in a new version by Zinnie Harris. Directed by Cassandra Fumi.
fortyfivedownstairs. October 31st - November 17th 2024.
“★★★★…full of glorious visual comedy and surreal surprises”
— The Age
“★★★★…a rampaging success…Spinning Plate Co has done it again”
— Arts Hub
“★★★★…pure comic pandemonium…an experience absolutely worth the ride”
“Spinning Plates Co. demonstrate exceptional inventiveness in this quirky and highly stylised production…both hilarious and disturbing”
“Fumi’s tight control of the action – a wild mash of pantomime, burlesque, and meticulous ensemble work – is pitch-perfect”
“This play about people turning into angry rhinos is surprisingly relevant”
- Featured in The Age October 2024
“I don’t think there’s a company I would trust with that work more…”
- Richard Watts & Anne-Marie Peard, 3RRR Smart Arts
SYNOPSIS.
One sunny day in a quaint provincial square, Berenger and Jean have arranged to meet at a café before the town is thrown intochaos when one by one, its residents begin transforming into rhinoceroses. Who will hold on to their humanity and who will get horny?
Ionesco’s absurdist cult classic locks horns with political extremism, conformity and responsibility at the end of the world, brought stampeding into the twenty-first century by the acerbic pen of Zinnie Harris.
Spinning Plates Co. return to fortyfivedownstairs with a contemporary translation of Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco, in a new version by Zinnie Harris. This marks the second instalment in the company’s Beast Trilogy, following 2023’s wildly successful presentation of The Crocodile, which had two sell-out seasons and won three Green Room Awards in 2024, including Best Direction for Cassandra Fumi, Best Set & Costume Design for Dann Barber, and Best Performer for Cait Spiker.
DATES, LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY.
October 31st - November 17th at 7:30pm (5pm on Sundays. No shows Mondays or Tuesdays)
Preview: 7:30pm Thursday October 31st | Opening Night: 7:30pm Friday November 1st
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000
The fortyfivedownstairs theatre is wheelchair accessible. Click here for further details. If you have other access requirements please get in touch with fortyfivedownstairs at boxoffice@fortyfivedownstairs.com or on +61 3 9662 9966 (office hours Tues-Fri 11-5pm).
DURATION & CONTENT WARNING.
Rhinoceros contains some coarse language and adult themes, smoke, haze and loud noises.
The running time is 85 minutes.
CREATIVES.
Directed by Cassandra Fumi
Assistant Directed by Georgina Bright
Performed by Belinda Anderson-Hunt, James Cerché, John Marc Desengano, Joey Lai, Zachary Pidd, Cait Spiker, Jessica Stanley and Annabelle Tudor, featuring Alexandra Aldrich as the swing
Set Design by Jacob Battista & Dann Barber
Costume Design by Dann Barber
Lighting Designer: Rachel Burke
Composer & Sound Designer: Rachel Lewindon
Stage Manager: Georgina Bright
Assistant Stage Manager: Bridget Sweeney
Lighting Design Associate: Spencer Herd
Costume Supervisor & Maker: Christie Milton
Costume Intern & Maker: Ashley Reid
Costume Maker: Janne Barber
Set Intern & Maker: Jonel Factor
Art Finisher: Nell Ferguson
Cloud Cloth Makers: Ella Butler & Tilly Robba
Intimacy Director: Annabelle Tudor
Promotional Photography by Sarah Clarke
Production Photography by Darren Gill
Produced by Spinning Plates Co.
Thank you to Alexandra Aldrich, Emily Goddard, Fabio Motta and Shannon Brown for their contribution to this production, and for Complete Works Theatre Company, our wonderful rehearsal space. Thank you to Cam Lukey and the wonderful team at fortyfivedownstairs for their endless support. Thank you to our outside eyes, Sam Ryan, Samara Hersch, Caspar Plum, Ellen Marning, Yvonne Virsik, Oliver Coleman and Savanna Wegman. Thank you to everyone who picked up a sewing needle or paint brush. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. Most of all, thank you to the team who worked on this show, for far less money than they deserve for their incredible talent, skill, and heart.