Written by Edward Albee, best known for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Zoo Story in was first written in 1959 as a one-act play about two strangers who meet on a park bench in New York City’s Central Park. Forty-five years later, Albee completed the work by writing a prequel, adding a domestic scene between a husband and wife that delves further into one of the characters. The expanded work  was renamed At Home At The Zoo.

Directed by James Litchfield, the two acts explore themes of loneliness, power and connection in confronting, yet riveting ways.

The first act begins with Helana Sawires, as Ann, uttering the lines no man wants to hear, “Darling, we should talk.” Her husband, Peter (Will Johnston) is a good, solid man. Together they have two children, two cats and two parakeets. Their relationship has been a smooth voyage, but secretly Ann wants to capsize the safe ship.

In the second act, Peter meets Jerry (Evan Lever), who interrupts his book reading wanting to tell him about his time at the zoo. The ever-polite Peter indulges the man, innocently answering his questions, revealing who he is, where he lives and even what his publishing job earns him, all while nodding along to Jerry’s sprawling monologue. Perhaps this era was more trusting, but by this point Albee has you vying for Peter, desperately wanting to stop him from telling this stranger so much.

The cast fully commits to their roles. Lever is brilliant as the unstable Jerry, his movements jittery and anxious as he paces the stage, hovers close to Peter, and repeatedly invades his personal space. Sawires perfectly captures the frustrated  1950s wife, delivering deadpan looks until Ann’s buried resentment finally erupts. Johnston’s buttoned-up Peter, dressed in a cardigan, glasses, and tie, whether at home or in the park, is an embodiment of restraint and affability.

Olivia Simpson’s costume design places the characters firmly within their era, while Thomas Rolls’ home set features an art deco-inspired design centred around a lime green couch and minimalist cocktail set and book props.

The stories shared throughout the play are unexpected, drawing gasps from the audience. Albee’s writing consistently twists and turns, keeping viewers on edge and wondering where the conversations might lead. The work tips towards absurdism yet remains recognisable in human longing.

There’s a psychological depth to many mid-century playwrights – Albee and Pinter among them – that contemporary works rarely touch. Albee explores sexuality, repression and isolation with honesty, allowing the truth to surface in ordinary conversations.

At Home At The Zoo will leave audiences questioning what hidden desires, frustrations, or dangers might emerge from even the most seemingly innocuous conversations.

4 stars

At Home At The Zoo is playing at Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville, Sydney until 30 May 2026.

Run Time:  2 hours (including a short interval)

For tickets visit Flight Path Theatre