Retired lecturers bring Edward Albee’s ‘At Home at the Zoo’ to Hyderabad stage

Hyderabad: Two retired English literature lecturers are set to stage Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo in Hyderabad, marking their debut theatre production.

The play blends The Zoo Story, written in 1959, with Homelife, the prequel Albee added in 2004. Together, the two acts form At Home at the Zoo, a work that explores loneliness, connection, and the strains of modern relationships.

The production is led by Navanita Lahiri and Sarala Mahidhara, who are stepping onto the city’s theatre scene after long careers in academia. Their move from classroom to stage brings a literary lens to Albee’s text, known for its sharp dialogue and psychological depth.

At Home at the Zoo examines a chance encounter between two strangers in a park and the private conversation that precedes it at home, reflecting on communication, isolation, and identity.