Animals Two Plays by Karen Hines - An Exploration of Humanity through Animals

Karen Hines, a renowned playwright and performer, has captivated audiences with her extraordinary talent for blending comedy, absurdity, and social commentary. Her work, Animals Two Plays, is a remarkable exploration of humanity through animals, delving into the complex relationships we have with the non-human species that share our planet. In this article, we will dive into the two plays that make up this thought-provoking collection, providing an in-depth analysis of their themes, characters, and the impact they have on our understanding of ourselves.

Play One: "Invasion of the Cows"

Summary

In the first play, "Invasion of the Cows," Hines invites the audience to witness a bizarre scenario where cows take over a small town. As the residents struggle to comprehend and deal with this unexpected event, the play explores themes of fear, control, and the unpredictable nature of life. Hines cleverly uses the cows as a metaphor for external forces that disrupt our everyday routines and challenge our perception of normality.

Characters

The play introduces a range of unique and memorable characters, each representing different reactions to the cow invasion. From the town mayor desperate to restore order to a fearless cow whisperer who forms an unlikely bond with the bovines, Hines masterfully crafts characters that reflect various aspects of the human psyche. Through their struggles and interactions, the audience is prompted to reflect on their own responses when confronted with unexpected situations.

Animals: Two Plays

by Karen Hines(Paperback – April 11, 2017)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Paperback	:	152 pages
Item Weight	:	9 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.25 x 0.49 x 8.75 inches
File size	:	2809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	152 pages

FREE

Play Two: "The Prospector's Union"

Summary

In the second play, "The Prospector's Union," Hines takes us on a journey to a remote mining camp, where a group of humans and animals coexist in a seemingly harmonious way. However, tensions arise when the prospectors realize the environmental consequences of their actions. Through the eyes of an unlikely alliance between an animal rights activist and a curious raccoon, the play explores themes of exploitation, environmentalism, and personal accountability.

Characters

"The Prospector's Union" introduces a diverse cast of characters, including the uncompromising activist, the secretive raccoon, and the conflicted prospectors. Hines intricately weaves their stories together, challenging the audience to question our responsibility as custodians of the environment and the ethical implications of our actions.

The Impact

Animals Two Plays is a testament to Karen Hines' ability to blend humor and social commentary, creating a theatrical experience that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. By using animals as a lens to examine the human condition, Hines compels the audience to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and the consequences of our choices. The plays highlight the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings, urging us to reevaluate our priorities and strive for a more compassionate and sustainable future.

Karen Hines' Animals Two Plays is an exceptional artistic achievement that explores profound themes through the lens of animals. By dissecting the complex relationships we have with non-human species, Hines prompts us to question our own humanity and the impact our actions have on the world around us. These thought-provoking plays encourage us to consider our place in the larger ecosystem and to strive for a more harmonious coexistence with all living beings.

Animals: Two Plays

by Karen Hines(Paperback – April 11, 2017)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Paperback	:	152 pages
Item Weight	:	9 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.25 x 0.49 x 8.75 inches
File size	:	2809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	152 pages

FREE

From acclaimed playwright Karen Hines come two darkly comic meditations on security, safety, and shelter.

Crawlspace is a comic, Kafkaesque monologue about the darker side of home ownership that moves past ‘cautionary’ as it snakes through the brutal battleground of Toronto real estate, decorative twig orbs, and the state of the human soul.

All the Little Animals I Have Eaten explores questions surrounding existence, death, and salvation through the perspectives of one sleep-deprived young woman, the ghosts of brilliant authors, some well-heeled professionals, meth-curious lambs, a puppet in a beatnik onesie, tiny vertebrates, glowing arthropods, and other unexpected voices.

Praise for the Videofag production of Crawlspace:

‘Karen Hines’s macabre monologue about a real-estate nightmare – and a dead animal stuck in a crawlspace – was all the more terrifying for being true. This was Hines at her most horrifyingly hilarious.’

– Globe and Mail

‘Hines’s clever script, alternately savagely funny and disturbing, is full of facts the author keeps amending, underlining the bait-and-switch nature of the real estate swindle.’

– NOW magazine

‘The kind of story you want to talk about as soon as you get home. Horrifying and enlightening.’

– Mooney on Theatre

Karen Hines is an award-winning playwright, performer, and stage director. She has performed extensively in Canadian television and film, while her independent stage performances, plays, and short films have been presented internationally. She lives in Calgary, Alberta.