Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco by Eugene Ionesco Directed by Victoria Fang Aug.1 -Aug. 4, 1996 Rhinoceros is a play that addresses the issue of conformity. It takes an absurdist French approach to a message that is always relevant, emphasizing the difficulty of resisting societal pressures. The story is of one man's struggle with his loss of identity. An identity that becomes confused in his efforts to maintain individuality amid the turmoil of conformism surrounding him. His initial apathy is forced to become a concerted and difficult self-awareness because if the situation he finds himself in. This play was chosen because it directly dealt with an issue that Asian Americans have to deal with every day. There are so many societal pressure to conform to certain notions of what is acceptable-be that a stereotypical idea of what an 'Asian' is, or that an Asian American ought to fit into the societal image of 'white.' " The play pointed out that rediculousness of human conformity while at the same time illuminating the extreme difficulty encountered in resisting temptation, It shows us the strength that one must have to maintain an idea of self and individuality despite of exterior pressures of society. Despite the thought provoking theme, the story-line of the play is humorous and absurd. There was a significant portion of the play that deals with the question of whether the rhinoceroses are Asiatic or African. The parallel is quite fitting for the image of the show that the director wishes to create as Asians and Africans are two major minority groups in America that experience a great deal of societal pressure to conform to certain images. A new light is given to the play through new interpretation. Originally a symbolic reflection of the Nazi movement, the play's all Asian cast production was to express the need for strength amount Asians/Asian-Americans in our present day society to resist pressures to conform-be they to fulfill the stereotypical notion of "an Asian" or to discard the Asian heritage and become "white." --Victoria Fang A significant work of Eugene Ionesco written in 1959, the play was first done in French and premiered in Europe. Subsequently it was staged in New York. It was usually being done in large, main stage theatres. The intimacy of CCI's space engaged the audience emotion more intensely. Other links of related interest International Society's theatre productions Tremont Theatre Please support our program by Joining our membership. Attending the events (watch What's New) Making donations -- Send your tax deductible donation to International Society 276 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116)