The Monkey

In the waiting room of a corporate office, one man anticipates a job interview that could completely change his life. Bubbling with anxiety in an environment brimming with judgment and hostility, he quickly falls down a rabbit hole of selfdoubt, fear and shame. His spiraling thoughts materialise in the form of a seemingly innocent monkey, which terrorises the stage, making him appear lunatic in front of the other, much more prepared candidates, and a tired and over-it receptionist.

Balancing the reality of the waiting room, and the suspension of his internal world as it becomes more and more distorted, the man soon faces his past, his struggles and his biggest fears. Can he find peace and ease in his thoughts? Or will he succumb to the heavy burden of his inner demons?

The Monkey is a show which confronts the stigma of male fragility, questioning the necessity to find ourselves in a world that imposes an ideal of masculinity often too strict and too toxic to be real. This show opens a window to the silent suffering that men feel we have to face, finding ourselves thrown into a world we are unequipped to navigate. Exploring themes such as anxiety, societal expectations, depression and panic attacks through a comedic lense and light attitude, The Monkey sounds the alarm for a collective need to act. How do we break the mould, and show our fellow men that it is not only necessary, but warranted, to speak out about our feelings? To talk to our friends and loved ones before they become just another name in the long list of those we’ve lost? We will show you how.