Grasses of a Thousand Colours

Synopsis

Ben, a smug and egotistical scientist, is the central character in Wallace Shawn’s extraordinary and genre-defying play. Through a series of vivid and often sexually explicit memoirs, Ben recounts his groundbreaking work in solving the global food crisis by creating genetically modified crops and revolutionising animal feed. However, his hubris and interference with the natural order lead to unforeseen consequences, as he becomes entangled in a surreal and unsettling relationship with a white cat named Blanche, who eventually transforms into his wife, Cerise.

Blending elements of dystopian science fiction, dark comedy, and morality play, Shawn’s work is a scathing critique of scientific arrogance and the dangers of human domination over nature. The play’s central themes revolve around the interrelationship between humans and the environment, the consequences of manipulating the natural order, and the idea that nature will ultimately fight back against human interference.