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Hunger and Thirst
By Eugene Ionesco
Directed by Michael Shannon
At A Red Orchid Theatre
1531 N. Wells
Chicago, IL
Call 312-943-8722, tickets $15 - $20
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Running time is 3 hours, 10 minutes with intermission
Through June 4, 2006
Compelling performances makes Ionesco work stage worthy
Seldom will you see a more obscure play that stretches one’s concentration and patience more than Hunger and Thirst from the master of absurdist theatre, Eugene Ionesco. The 1964 work is totally baffling – I have not idea what it is about yet I was riveted to my seat by the engaging emotional angst that Lane Stuart Baker’s Jean projected. Baker is so excellent at conveying the neurotic, excessive-compulsive family man who can’t feel comfortable in his ghetto apartment. His wife, Marie (Kathy Logelin), the embodiment of love and optimism tries to comfort him.
Hunger and Thirst is so dense, so overwhelming with such an intriguing atmosphere that I was hooked even though I was irritated by the lack of action and story. When Jean abandons his family in some kind of search, he ends up at a Swiss monastery where Brother Tarabas (Si Osborne) offers a memorizing effective performance into the nature of torture and religious fanaticism that is marvelously staged. The dramatic presentation of man’s hopelessness and the painful bondage that one’s beliefs can trap one self into are emotionally presented.
Kudos to director Michael Shannon for making a confusing and bewildering play come to life as strangely interesting. This is heavy weight stuff not for the faint of heart – it is for those who love fantastic staging and great acting. If you can admire a play that baffles you, than Hunger and Thirst will wet your theatrical appetite. I’m glad I sat through the torturous 3 hours. Ionesco would enjoy my pain.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed May 14, 2006
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