Featuring vasectomy debates and twerking potatoes, “Potatoes of August” is an acid trip of a spectacle. From April 10 to 19, the Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies staged the play in the Leeds Theatre. Written by Sibyl Kempson and directed by Kathy Ng ’17 GS, “Potatoes of August” follows four retirees as they navigate the odd challenges brought forth by four sentient potatoes.
Upon entering the theatre, attendees were greeted by four frolicking potatoes meandering around the stage, pointing at spectators and initiating games of rock-paper-scissors in the minutes leading up to the show.
Set on an intriguing multi-level stage featuring brightly colored slides and a ball pit, the play opened with Fern (Kayla Lerner ’27) begging her husband, Buck (Rashaun Bertrand ’27), to reverse his vasectomy. While lifesize potatoes continue dancing and banging on trash cans on the upper level, the show quickly introduces another couple: Gordon (Maison Teixeira ’27, a former Herald illustrator) and Bethy (Acadia Kotov ’28).
Despite Fern’s verbalized desire for “things to be familiar,” the play veers off-course into the absurdly unfamiliar. When Bethy and Fern are peeling potatoes together, Bethy points out that, to her surprise, the vegetables have glowing brains. At that moment, the potatoes begin chanting nonsensical philosophical speeches in perfect, unnerving unison.
Later, while at the doctor’s office for a colonoscopy, Bethy is abducted by a sentient potato dressed in a lab coat. While holding Bethy hostage, the potatoes probe her with questions, including: “What is the language of God?”
After she replies “mathematics,” claiming that it “explains everything,” the potatoes raise a comical counterargument. “Well, what about sentient potatoes?” they ask Bethy.
The potatoes go on to perform a number of silent film-like skits, including one where they dramatically re-enact the story of an apple falling on Isaac Newton’s head. Somehow, the show delves even further into absurdity, introducing what appears to be a spaceship — from which a string of potatoes was lowered and raised back up again.
Yet the piece pokes fun at its own folly, with Bethy pointing out that nature doesn’t always bend to “what’s logical and rational.”
But after a cyclone ultimately comes and sweeps the potatoes away, the show ends with Fern, standing on a pedestal, screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Potatoes of August” stuns audience members with its wacky absurdity and unexpected surprises, leaving spectators bewildered — and perhaps the slightest bit scared of ever eating the vegetable again.
