Overview
Synopsis
In a provincial French village, Berenger and his friend Jean meet at a local cafe for a Sunday afternoon drink. Berenger is unkempt, admitting that he drinks too much and often feels fearful. Jean, well-manicured and poised, tries to help his friend. But their meeting is disrupted by a rhinoceros thundering through town, drawing onlookers and speculation about how the pachyderm--whether with one or two horns, whether an Asiatic or African rhinoceros--got there. As time goes on, more rhinoceroses appear. Berenger realizes that the rhinoceroses are their neighbors, coworkers, and friends; some villagers are skeptical of the phenomenon, while others feel that they have no choice but to join them. As Berenger watches his world descend into the chaos of the stampede, he is faced with the moral dilemma of his own identity in the face of societal decay. Hailed as an early example of Theatre of the Absurd, Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros is an allegory that warns of the dangers of nationalistic fervor, mob mentality, and the rise of destructive political forces.
Show Information
- Book
- Eugène Ionesco
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1960
- Genres
- Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Contemporary
- Time & Place
- Summer, Present day, provincial French town
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A dramatic movement emphasizing existentialism and irrationality, often rejecting traditional plot structures.
Allegory is a storytelling device in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. In theatre, allegorical plays often deliver social, political, or religious messages beneath their surface narrative.
A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence and responsibility, often reflected in modern theatre.
A movement and technique using symbolic imagery and metaphors to express abstract ideas and inner experiences.
A dramatic movement featuring illogical dialogue, cyclical plots, and existential themes, reflecting the absurdity of human existence.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress