←Recommendations of The Man They Turned Into a Dog by Osvaldo Dragun (translation)

The Man They Turned Into a Dog offers a darkly comedic yet poignant exploration of dehumanization in society. Through this translation, the absurdity of labor and economic oppression shines, while the protagonist's transformation into a dog serves as a chilling metaphor for losing one’s identity in the face of societal expectations. A brilliant blend of humor and existential dread.

This is a translation of a philosophical play! With echoes of Sartre’s ‘No Exit’, ‘The Story of the Man Who Turned into a Dog’ will bring atmosphere to any theatre!

An accessible and engaging translation of a play that feels very timely, given its focus on labor and economics. The protagonist is dehumanized through his efforts to earn a living, ultimately accepting poverty. This would be a good choice for an evening of absurdist one-acts, allowing actors and designers to explore non-realism.

This would be a riot to be in as an actor. A very funny play that Vansant translates to maintain its humor in spite of its dark message that society has the power to make us whatever society says we are - and isn't that what denies us all our authenticity and forces us to become shells of ourselves? As such, it is inspiring and would help us all to find our integrity and never let it go! I am grateful for this translation - it is rare that we get a glimpse into anything different.

Riveting and oddly lighthearted, Vansant’s “The Man They Turned Into A Dog” is formulaic, balanced, and is just as interesting as it is compelling. This is unlike anything I’ve read on NPX. If you’re interested in political satire until an absurdist lens, this play is for you!

A lovely piece -- part story theater, part political satire -- about class and economics; about how the way someone is treated can turn him into exactly the thing he's been labelled. Though the message is serious about the capitalist system (this is the stuff of revolutions,) the theatrical treatment keeps the play engaging and almost lighthearted. Consider this for your politically-themed festival.