With a title like “Fat Pig,” some potential audience members may not know what to expect from the LSU Lab Theatre’s latest production.
A work of contemporary realism, the play centers on an unconventional relationship between Tom, an attractive man, and Helen, a plus-size librarian.
The play began its run Tuesday and will continue through Nov. 7. The performance starts at 7:30 every night, and Nov. 7 will have a 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. showing. Tickets are $10.
The production deals with body issues and the way society perceives them, said Neal Hebert, director and theatre history and historiography doctorate student.
“What will make people want to see this play is that it’s about things that LSU students and people deal with every day,” said Hebert, a former Daily Reveille opinion editor. “It is a play that asks a lot of hard questions and doesn’t offer easy answers.”
Hebert said the play assumes audience members are intelligent and willing to see complex problems dramatized.
“I like trying to put something that looks like real life on stage,” he said. “I want there not to be a false moment, like we’re seeing a relationship develop before our very eyes.”
Written by Neil LaBute, an award-winning director, screenwriter and playwright, “Fat Pig” is cast and designed entirely by undergraduate students, with the exception of the director.
Hebert said the opportunity to work with these actors has been the best part of directing the production.
“Despite the fact that I’ve directed 10 shows, this is my favorite group of designers I’ve ever worked for,” he said. “There is a level of sophistication and polish in all aspects of their performance and design.”
Theatre senior Sarah Ford plays Helen, the lead female character. Ford said playing an emotionally vulnerable character has been an interesting process.
“Helen is not hard to relate to,” Ford said. “She has a lot of joy, and it’s been fun to play those moments. Finding the joy in her makes it worthwhile.”
Hebert said the actors have been enthusiastic about the production from the beginning.
“The actors have been incredibly willing to go places emotionally that I thought would be very difficult for them from the first read-through,” Hebert said. “We all believe in this show very strongly.”
Ford said she wanted to be involved in the production because of the issues it involved and because it granted her an opportunity to play a lead role.
“As a plus-size woman myself, the roles that usually come my way are supportive roles,” Ford said. “Most plays are not to have the main character be plus-size. And also I think this play speaks to everyone. It’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin, and it shows that no matter who you are and what you weigh, everyone has issues.”
Communication disorders sophomore Carol Ann Bryant, who saw the play, said it was bluntly truthful.
“It raised a lot excellent points about social issues,” Bryant said. “They didn’t try to make the subject romantic or beautiful. They just put it the way it is. The actors did a really good job. The funny characters had me laughing, and the sad parts had me tearing up.”
 
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Contact Morgan Searles at [email protected]