Another Mammal

Another week, another play at Circa Theatre: Another Mammal. This is a new New Zealand play by WFINZ* playwright Jo Randerson; who, according to a review in Theatreview, “surely needs no introduction”. Well, yes she bloody does, ’cos I’ve never heard of her. Have you? Anyway, she’s written some plays.

But first, of course, dinner. Last week we were unable to get to Capitol, so decided to go there for a pre-show dinner. We’d forewarned them that we needed to be out to get to Circa by 7:30, so made good progress through starters and mains, but then made the rookie error of ordering dessert. Even though it was pre-prepared and didn’t require any assembly, the restaurant was pretty full by this time so took a while to emerge from the kitchen. We rather bolted it, before making our way to Circa at a brisk trot. Made it with a minute to spare!

Another Mammal is a metaphor. For what, though? A couple are going through the same old argument as “Y” returns home late – very late – to “Z”, to her inevitable anger and accusations. He solves this altercation wordlessly, and very directly, by pulling out a gun and shooting her. Damn! This is going to be a short play!

The stage manager comes in, straightens the furniture, and the stage is reset. Y enters again. This time the altercation is subtly different, but the end result is the same.

And so on. Each vignette is interspersed with music by New Zealand artists (I only recognised one, Ladyhawke). The stage keeps being reset, and different arguments take place. Sometimes Z comes in to Y, and shoots him instead. The argument becomes wider-ranging, not just about the couple but covering colonialism, isolationism, protectionism, Covidism – a huge range of -isms.

Whilst all this has been going on, three Wolf-Apes, as they are characterised in the programme, have been gradually interjecting themselves into the play. What do these represent? Our subconscious selves? We’re never told. Also, the Stage Manager starts to impose herself on the couple and the dynamic changes from one of confrontation to (attempted) reconciliation.

What does it all mean? Well, it’s a metaphor, innit. That’s Art, that is.

 

 

* World Famous In New Zealand. As if you didn’t know.