The Zoo Story analysis
EDWARD ALBEE´S THE ZOO STORY
October 26th – November 26th 2011
Krudttønden. Serridslevvej 2, Østerbro..
That-Theatre Company
Director: Barry McKenna
With Adam Brix & Ian Burns
1
Introduction
The story, in simplest terms, is about how a man who is consumed with loneliness starts up a conversation with another man on a bench in Central Park and eventually forces him to participate in an act of violence.
According to Matthew Roudane, who quoted a 1974 interview with Albee in his
Understanding Edward Albee, the playwright maintained that he got the idea for The Zoo
Story while working for Western Union: "I was always delivering telegrams to people in rooming houses. I met [the models for] all those people in the play in rooming houses.
Jerry, the hero, is still around."
Combining both realistic and absurd elements, Albee has constructed a short but multilevelled play dealing with issues of human isolation, loneliness, class differences, and the dangers of inaction within American society. He focuses on the need for people to acknowledge and understand each other's differences.
After garnering its initial critical praise, The Zoo Story went on to win the Village Voice
Obie Award for best play and ran for a total of 582 performances. The Zoo Story continues to be a favourite with university and small theatre companies and persists in shocking and profoundly affecting its audiences.
One of the main reasons for being alive is to communicate with our fellow human beings despite the modern trend of isolationism, of constantly wearing headphones and therefore sending a signal that you are not interested in having any contact with another soul.
I remember as a child being told by my parents not to talk to strangers. A common sense safety measure that all children must take heed of. However when we become adults does this still apply? Innocence is dead. Recent awful events in Norway seem to support this notion, but it must still be a positive
October 26th – November 26th 2011
Krudttønden. Serridslevvej 2, Østerbro..
That-Theatre Company
Director: Barry McKenna
With Adam Brix & Ian Burns
1
Introduction
The story, in simplest terms, is about how a man who is consumed with loneliness starts up a conversation with another man on a bench in Central Park and eventually forces him to participate in an act of violence.
According to Matthew Roudane, who quoted a 1974 interview with Albee in his
Understanding Edward Albee, the playwright maintained that he got the idea for The Zoo
Story while working for Western Union: "I was always delivering telegrams to people in rooming houses. I met [the models for] all those people in the play in rooming houses.
Jerry, the hero, is still around."
Combining both realistic and absurd elements, Albee has constructed a short but multilevelled play dealing with issues of human isolation, loneliness, class differences, and the dangers of inaction within American society. He focuses on the need for people to acknowledge and understand each other's differences.
After garnering its initial critical praise, The Zoo Story went on to win the Village Voice
Obie Award for best play and ran for a total of 582 performances. The Zoo Story continues to be a favourite with university and small theatre companies and persists in shocking and profoundly affecting its audiences.
One of the main reasons for being alive is to communicate with our fellow human beings despite the modern trend of isolationism, of constantly wearing headphones and therefore sending a signal that you are not interested in having any contact with another soul.
I remember as a child being told by my parents not to talk to strangers. A common sense safety measure that all children must take heed of. However when we become adults does this still apply? Innocence is dead. Recent awful events in Norway seem to support this notion, but it must still be a positive