Cartoon

by Steve Yockey

5m, 4f / Comedy / Unit set Join the exploits of a band of mismatched cartoon stereotypes on a wild ride through this animated world, Presented in the style of a Commedia dell’Arte scenario gone berserk, Cartoon is a devilishly violent social commentary that explores the rapid coalescence of media, politics and consumer giants. A young, idealistic upstart named Trouble steals the giant hammer that Esther, the bratty dictator, uses to maintain a monotonous but peaceful order. Chaos ensues. Bombs

Genres: Plays

54 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2008

Reviews

[Lauren Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bizarre little piece of contemporary absurdist drama. I would love to see a fully realized production, because the theatre magic could potentially make it a 5/5 play (and its aesthetic connection to the great absurdist masters like Beckett and Ionesco could be emphasized nicely).

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a surreal and violent violent manner, this one-act play urges the audience/reader to ask big questions about the nature of conflict, whether that's on an interpersonal scale or a political one. The characters are exaggerated cartoon archetypes in a colorful cartoon world, but that false veneer of innocence only adds to the horror when they snap.
In some areas, such as the lack of scores and/or lyrics for the songs, the play can feel unfinished, but it is more likely left deliberately open-ended for a clever director to let their imagination run wild.