Peepolykus made their first foray into text with Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece Rhinoceros. The inhabitants of a small French town, blissfully unaware of their own eccentricities, become afflicted with the condition of Rhinoceritis – the sudden transformation from human to rhinoceros. The results are dramatic and unsettling.
‘Revivals like this breath life back into forgotten plays and companies like Peepolykus show how exciting and hilarious theatre can be. It’s a long time since I’ve seen such absurdly, sublimely skilled performances.’
Somerset Country Gazette
“This production is not only a milestone in the development of Peepolykus. It is also an important contribution to absurdist drama by a company who truly understand the nature of absurdity”.
The Oxford Times
“Imaginatively directed, with an excellent cast, Peepolykus blow the dust off this rarely performed classic and bring it to life with funny-bone-twinkling lunacy”.
What’s on
“The anarchic Peepolykus, masters of devised slapstick, broaden Ionesco’s parable with their inspired clowning”.
The Stage
“Peepolykus’ irresistible charm is combined with flashes of inspired clowning”.
The Independent on Sunday
“Peepolykus’s trademark characteristics of physical theatre, clowning and abundant energy are used to great effect in Rhinoceros, which is an encouraging step forward for one of the most innovative companies at work in the UK today”.
Evening Standard
Performed by John Nicholson, Javier Marzan, David Sant, Phoebe Soteriades, Flick Ferdinando and David Benson
Written by Eugene Ionesco
Directed by Kate Beales
Background
Rhinoceros was Peepolykus’ first foray into text.
The company were very drawn to the wonderfully absurd aspects of this play and were keen to embark upon an ensemble piece. Rhinoceros can also be quite tough to stage in an exciting way and the company embraced the idea of giving the show the Peepolykus treatment under the direction of the wonderful Kate Beales.
Kate Beales – director
Kate trained at the National Theatre of Germany in Hamburg. Work in the UK includes The Fantastical Legend of Dr Faust (English Shakespeare Co), The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, The Sorceror’s Apprentice and The Pied Piper (Orange Tree Theatre), Couch Grass and Ribbon (Watermill). Since Rhinoceros, shows include Mad Forest (Chelsea Theatre) and Macbeth (National Theatre).
For the past two years, Kate has been directing an ongoing project for the National Theatre exploring new digital media in live performance. She also teaches at New York university, and runs workshops for the National Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall, South Bank University, Shakespeare Schools Festival and Setagaya Theatre, Tokyo.
David Benson was thrilled to join peepolykus for their 2002 production of Rhinoceros. He is best known for his solo shows: Think No Evil of Us – My Life With Kenneth Williams, To Be Frank, Mourning Glory, Star Struck (co-devised and directed by David Sant) and Haunted Stage. He is currently working on his sixth show Conspiracy Cabaret. Benson directed and devised Janet Street-Porter’s solo show All The Rage (2003). He played Noel Coward in a BBC sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart with Nicholas Lyndhurst. He made his panto debut as Dame Foxy Trott in 2004, at Newbury Corn Exchange, directed by Cal McCrystal. It is his dearest wish that one day he will be asked again to play with the Peeps.
Phoebe Soteriades has worked on numerous Peepolykus productions in various guises., most recently as technician for Let the Donkey Go which has taken them all over the world. Also costume design for Horses for Courses, Midsummer Mechanicals, Goose Nights, Rhinoceros and All in the Timing. Phoebe also performed with them as Daisy in Rhinoceros! As an actor Phoebe’s work includes shows with The Royal Exchange, Manchester, The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, The Gate Theatre, London, Kaos Theatre, The English Shakespeare Company and Trading Faces.
Flick Ferdinando is a renowned performer, director and teacher. With John Paul Zaccarini she is a co-founder and co-artistic director of Company F. Z, creating five productions to date including the award winning shows ‘Throat’ and ‘Loser’ (see Loser at the Edinburgh Fringe, Pleasance Theatre). For six years Flick was artistic advisor for The Circus Space in London, responsible for developing and implementing the theatre and movement programme. She was creator and director of mimbre, an all-female acrobatic company, and recently directed the internationally acclaimed Green Ginger puppet company. As a performer she continues to tour her hilarious one-woman cabaret piece ‘A Tribute to Margot Fonteyn’ and is currently performing with John Nicholson in ‘John & Flick’s Wood Club’ at the Edinburgh Fringe (Pleasance Theatre).