Set during the dawn of a new millennium, London Zoo explores the subtle and not so subtle prejudices of the modern workplace.
Uncovering unspoken attitudes, ingrained attitudes, powerful secrets and clever manipulations, this satirical fast-paced production follows senior executive Arabella’s journey in a typical London newspaper office. With the print crisis looming and revenues falling, the characters struggle to adapt to the new world as it falls in love with digital media. Against this backdrop, their perfect personas unravel with surprising, hysterical and shocking results.
London Zoo provides audiences with a funny but valuable insight into the exclusive world of board meetings, CEOs and the behind the scenes strategising, typical of the 1990s but still highly relevant today.
This play is written and directed by Farine Clarke, whose writing reflects her observations of people’s interactions from her early career as a doctor, through to her time in publishing, as well as Board Director roles across public and private businesses. She will be joined by renowned film, theatre, and television actress, Linda Marlowe (EastEnders, BBC; Too Clever By Half, Old Vic Theatre) as special advisor on the production.
Reviving her role as Arabella, Natalie Lauren (Close to Me, Channel 4) will be returning to the stage as leading lady after starring in the 2022 run of the production. Joining her on stage will be Harris Vaughan (The Nevers, HBO/Sky) who also returns to the role of Christian, with Simon Furness (The Beaux’ Stratagem, National Theatre; Wednesday, Netflix) who is the exciting new member of this ensemble. Also returning will be Odimegwu Okoye as Kelvin, Anirban Roy as Sunil and American actor Dan Saski performing as Alex.
UnEqual Productions is an award-winning theatre company that produces cutting-edge plays, which strive to resonate with audiences across the UK, spanning social, ethnic and economic spectrums. Unafraid to use humour, wit, and irony to boldly generate active debate London Zoo reveals unconscious biases that exist in many environments to challenge established attitudes that influence how people behave and are treated.
Farine Clarke comments, ‘London Zoo is a pacy parody of life… It’s set in the newspaper industry but could apply to any workplace or social situation because it’s about people: how they feel, interact and at times manipulate to get their way. Having been a doctor and worked in varied businesses at senior level, I find so many of our behaviours both extraordinary and full of irony. Overt prejudice is easy to spot and therefore to react to, but we all harbour our own subtle prejudices which we need to expose and discuss. There’s no point in doing this on a soapbox – far better to use comedy to help us laugh at ourselves while still questioning if we can change for the better. That’s London Zoo’s purpose and why audiences of all ages enjoy it to the full.’
Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD. Dates: Thursday 7th – Tuesday 30th March 2024. Times: Mon – Sat 8pm
Admission: £25, £26, £16.
Booking: www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk – 0207 407 0234
