Shane Carroll considers some themes explored in 'Animal':

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 5:37 PM

THE COUP/COOP
When a single hen is introduced to the group, she goes at once to the bottom of the peck-order, a place she is likely to retain even if she had been of relatively high rank in her previous group. Aggressive hens, however, after a time will work their way upward. If two well -acquainted hens with a defined mutual status are introduced into a strange flock, the dominant one if the two will usually help her partner to rise in the new social environment. Only when they have both found their place in the flock does the normal competitive relation between the two returns. (F.Macfarlane Burnet, 1970)

Is "non-animal’ a more complex organism than a chicken? Is evolution the text to the narrative of our future?

Shane.
Monday, May 2, 2011 at 3:40 PM

May 1st, 19 days till opening. Lucas began creating the structure on Saturday and, beginning Monday, I believe we have the whole cast together every night for a week, which will be awesome. We all have to work around our 'day' jobs. Coming together and working on the material has been enormous fun. Although Lucas has a strong creative vision and firm directorial hand, his method of working gives us quite a lot of scope to create our own material. The improvisational way of working should keep us on our toes mentally (actually its barefoot) and fresh throughout the process. For me the whole thing is a bit of a miracle because I have not performed or danced for many years, but I think its going brilliantly! As I am creating my own movements from a given task then I am able to shape what I do around my capabilities. Lucas is very patient and the girls are an inspiration. Cant wait for opening night!