Animals Out of Paper

by Rajiv Joseph

Drama

Full Length

2 men, 1 woman: 3 total

Interiors

THE STORY: When a world-renowned origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his school teacher, she discovers that life and love can t be arranged neatly in this drama about finding the perfect fold.

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre, School, Fiction

58 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[WrittenbySahra]

No. Just no.

[Jennifer Bridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilana: Look at this paper. It has no memory. It's just flat.

But fold it, even once, and it suddenly remembers something.

And then, with each fold, another memory, another experience, and they build up to make something complicated.

The paper must forget that it was ever flat, ever a simple square. It probably can't remember it's still in one piece.

Probably feels like too many things have happened to it. It's all twisted into something so far from what it used to be. I guess it could unfold and become flat again. But it would never be what it was. When it was untouched. Folds leave scars.

This is a beautiful and disturbing play for one middle aged crotchety woman, 1 30 something sweet guy and 1 disturbed teen of Indian descent. Great fodder for scene work and monologues. A lovely read.

[Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in English class (last year I think). The play wonderfully portrays three flawed people and the consequences of their actions - both good and bad. I was able to relate to the characters, but they were not perfect. It is a fairly easy read and I highly recommend it at least once.

[Will Schmitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Gretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rajiv Joseph is a genius. Andy a happy go lucky, always-trying-to-help school teacher goes to origami artist, Ilana’s home to convince her to tutor his student Suresh. Ilana is a mess after a divorce and loosing her dog, and Suresh is trying to find meaning after loosing his mother. These three characters are fragile paper beings, and their actions toward each other can either bring beauty to their lives or tear them apart. This play can be devastating and beautiful. The ending was a little too abrupt, but it may not feel that way when it is performed.

[Nick Olwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

He took a mundane topic such as origami and created an entrapping plot and authentic characters that you truly care about. Some of the dialogue might be hard to perform/might not come across as natural. Plus, it has a few different scenes that involve different sets, depending on the theater, it might be tough to create the world/set. The ending is also a tad bit unsatisfying. A few things are hinted at, but don’t come back around. However, it’s such an entertaining read and a great story.

[Beige Gurl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lost myself for a few hours then ended up folding paper...

[David N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suffers the problem that any overwrought metaphor does, you have to trade the moments of insight and wisdom for the moments of hamfistedness.

[Alexandra Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZINGGGVVVV

[Marco Lizarraga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 8/10

This play fucking slaps. Very unique characters and dynamics and all the shit about origami and hip hop and it was all executed so well. 🔥🔥🔥

[zz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy insipid!

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly typical story and, you can tell, an early work from a burgeoning playwright. (Side note:I don't know what Rajiv Joseph has against women, but so far both plays I have read of his have had very cynical borderline ugly female protagonists). The play hits all the notes you'd expect, and though it does have a few moments of transcendence (the origami metaphor is played out quite nicely), it is heavily bogged down again by it's moments of conventionality. It's ending, also, is somewhat problematic. How are we supposed to feel about Illana's infidelity? Does she become a cypher for Suresh's dead mother? Then why is he in love with her? I feel one more draft of the play could have firmed up the concept and story, though, I have to admit, it's a big improvement over the much more conceptual (and less effective) "Gruesome Playground Injuries".

[Bt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this play really gripping, and I very much enjoyed and could connect with all of them. I saw some of myself in each one – the shy recluse, the friendly guy next door, and the boy who wants to be cool but can’t push away all the trouble in his life. The dialogue was very realistic and jumped off the page. I wasn’t sure what to think at the end though; I feel like Joseph left me hanging, something that always annoys me. There was no closure! Did Ilana make any progress? What does she really think about Sheresh and Andy? I’m confused and a bit annoyed..

Good scenes: Oh, they’re all good! I think the first three would be my top choices for class work, though.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very impressed and satisfied. This is the second play I've read by Joseph. Both have solid plots and deep sub text. I'll go see it the next time I see it mounted. Disappointed there is no clear part for me.

[Wt Prater · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting....