The transformation scene

Act II of Rhinoceros ends with a tour de force of physical and vocal acting from Jasper Britton as his character, Jean, turns into a rhinoceros right in front of the audience.

Jasper and his co-star Benedict Cumberbatch (playing Berenger) analyse the transformation scene in a video clip containing extensive footage of the play in performance at the Royal Court.

Key to the dramatic impact of the transformation scene is the difference between Jean’s first appearance at the start of Act I and his appearance at the end of Act II. Later on in the scene, Jean’s appearance is further altered by the use of a silicone face mask.

One of the Jean’s lines from the transformation scene is “So our friend Boeuf’s turned into a rhinoceros”. This video clip shows how Jasper’s reading of this line develops during the rehearsal process.