Edinburgh Fringe 2024
3 Chickens Confront Existence
Bill Schaumberg - LookFWD Arts
Genre: Absurd Theatre, American Theater
Venue: Assembly Roxy Downstairs
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Three factory farm chickens attempt to find a greater sense of purpose by engaging each other in a series of philosophical debates, games, feuds and emotional experiments while awaiting their imminent trip to the broiler.
Review
Playwright Bill Schaumberg’s profound exploration of existential themes is presented through the unlikely lens of a chicken coop. Right from the opening clucks, it’s clear that this isn’t your typical nature story. Instead, Schaumberg masterfully weaves a complex narrative, turning the seemingly simple lives of broiler chickens into a deep and poignant reflection on the human condition.
With subtlety, exquisite timing, and unexpected twists, Director Schaumberg and the cast invite readers into a world where the mundane existence of chickens becomes a metaphor for our own fleeting time in this reality. The “fowl trio of deep thinkers” serve as a vehicle to explore life’s myriad possibilities, echoing the works of absurdist playwrights like Beckett, Ionesco, Pinter, Jarry, Albee, and Camus. Their journey through the chicken coop of purgatory becomes a powerful allegory, challenging us to confront the absurdity and brevity of life with humor, grace, and a touch of existential dread. Designer Sasha Richter’s excellent chicken costumes are a big part of the overall effect… no doubt overly warm in the Roxy Downstairs space.
Helen (Audrey Rapoport) is the eternal optimist, a former working hen who refuses to let the bleakness of her surroundings dampen her spirits. Her sunny disposition shines through as she names each of her eggs, sending them off to their Styrofoam nests with a motherly sense of purpose. She manages to find solace by staring into the void, singing along with the meditative soundtrack of her life, as these moments offer her a transcendental escape from her grim reality.
Bronseman (Matthew DiLoreto), is the dour realist, questioning the worth of every action and balancing food pellets on his head while counting up to “800 Mississippi” attempting to escape the boredom of his caged existence. His moments of profound insight, however, are fleeting—snatched away by the slightest distraction, trapping him in a cycle of thought without resolution.
Reginald (Eric Kirchberger), is the scientist, obsessed with predicting which chicken will be next to face the conveyor belt and the inevitable oven. His scientific endeavors are overshadowed by his own despair, as he attempts to end his misery by smashing his head against the cage bars.
Together, Helen, Bronseman, and Reginald navigate the absurdities of their existence, grappling with reality, mirroring the human struggle for purpose and understanding in a world that often defies both. The excellent cast balances deep philosophical exploration of thinkers like Kafka, Socrates, Descartes, and Confucius, with a powerful undercurrent of humor… and every chicken joke imaginable. This chicken dish is a smorgasbord for the brain, leaving you craving for a second helping of this delicious chicken parfait.
