The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?

Act One

Husband and wife, Martin and Stevie, are preparing for the arrival of Ross, their old friend and television host. Martin is a hugely successful architect and he is due to be interviewed by Ross in honor of his fiftieth birthday and being awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize. However, Martin is distracted and keeps forgetting simple things. Stevie gently teases Martin that he must be seeing another woman, after he finds a business card in his jacket. Their banter takes on an exaggerated, good-humored air, leading Martin to confess that he has fallen in love...with a goat. Laughing at his ‘joke’, Stevie leaves to let Ross in.

Ross’ arrival breaks the flow of conversation and the two men reminisce about their friendship and their sons. In particular, they discuss Billy, Martin’s seventeen year old son who has just come out as gay. As Ross begins the interview, it is clear that Martin is still distracted and absent-minded. His lackluster answers and awkward attitude annoys Ross,