Rhinoceros by Eugène Ionesco

8pm Tuesday - Saturday | 2.30pm Matinee Saturday

When a rhinoceros crashes through a small French town square on a sunny Sunday, chaos ensues. Confronted with casualties & mysterious disappearances, the townspeople react in bewildering ways. Can humanity survive such an onslaught and who will stand up to the perissodactyls?

Take a trip into the absurd with this classic farcical play by the Romanian-French playwright Eugène Ionesco. A staple in 20th century European theatre, this three-act play has never been more relevant. Written in 1959, it has been widely interpreted as an allegory for the rise of Fascism & Nazism in Europe before World War II. It explores how people can be manipulated into blind conformism, authoritarianism, groupthink & herd mentality even when confronted with the absurd. But ultimately, it’s a riotous play that champions humanism and fights dehumanisation.

Brought to the Alma by the Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society. CADS is an incredibly active & dynamic amateur dramatic group who puts on multiple productions a year including The Comedy of Errors in 2023, The Importance of Being Earnest & Panto of the Opera in 2024, Cognitive Dissonance, The Tartuffe & Carpe Jugulum in 2025.

CONCESSIONS: students, carer or over 65's

All tickets include a £1 admin charge

Approx running time 2 hours 15 mins (inclusive of an interval)

All purchases for show at the Alma now have a suggested donation to the theatre and inhouse company of £3.00

You can remove this donation by changing the amount to £0.00, but please do consider offering your generosity to help us continue to offer great theatre at affordable prices.

The Alma Theatre has been serving the community for 29 years and has never been the recipient of ACE or any other funding. We offer reduced rates, preferential box office splits and extended promo support to assist all visiting companies. Your help will enable us to continue bringing fantastic stories to your local theatre, develop the programme, maintain the venue and create work in house. 2/3rds of your donation will go to the Alma Theatre, and 1/3 to our inhouse company, Schoolhouse Productions.

For our refunds and latecomers policy, please head to the Alma’s Theatre Information page.