Neil LaBute's "The Shape of Things"

Neil LaBute's play "The Shape of Things" premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London 2001. The play consists of four characters and 10 scenes. At its premier, the show was directed by LaBute and has specific instructions to be performed without intervals or a curtain call. This play explores issues such as stoicism, art, psychopathy, intimacy and love. Other notable performances of the show were in New York City at the Bernie West Theater under the direction of Brian Rhinehart. It was also performed in London in 2011 at The Gallery Soho on Charing Cross Road under the direction of Tom Attenborough. "The Shape of Things" was also produced as a movie in 2003. LaBute directed the film himself.

Neil LaBute was born in 1963 in Detroit, MI. LaBute attended Brigham Young University where he received his undergraduate degree and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is known for his contemporary plays that commonly push the envelope. While at BYU he produced several plays that were controversial, some of which were shut down after the premier. He was awarded "most promising undergraduate playwright" despite his numerous failures. He attended graduate school at the University of Kansas and the Royal Academy of London.

"The Shape of Things", as stated previously, is meant to be performed with no interruptions or curtain call. This is a common theme throughout LaBute's plays. LaBute returned to BYU in 1997 to premier his play "In the Company of Men", which won an award from the Association for Mormon Letters. In addition to being a playwright, LaBute is also a successful film director. He taught drama and film at Perdue University in Indiana. "In the Company of Men" was transformed to a film that won several awards, including the Filmmakers Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival. LaBute has been praised for his portrayals of conflicting men and women in this film and play.

A more recent play written by LaBute is "Fat Pig" (2004). This play was very personal for LaBute considering he is considered "fat". It deals with issues including love, image, deception and heartbreak. It premiered off-Broadway in 2004 at the MCC Theater in New York City.

Discussion questions about "The Shape of Things":

1.) Overall, do you think what Evelyn did to Adam was worth it?

2.) Do you think Evelyn had a more positive or negative effect on Adam's life?

3.) How do you think Evelyn was affected by her "experiment"? Do you think she faked her feelings for Adam?

4.) Do you consider Evelyn's experiment to be "art"? Explain.

5.) If you had the opportunity to conduct this experiment, would you? If yes, would you do it any differently?

6.) If you were in Phillip and Jenny's position, would you take Adam back as a friend? Why or why not?

7.) What do you think happened at the end of Scene 5 (after Jenny and Adam kissed)?

8.) Do you think Evelyn could have conducted this experiment and had real feelings for Adam? Would her results have been the same?

9.) Do you agree or disagree with the following quote  from Adam: "When Picasso took a shit, he didn't call it art. He knew the difference. That's what made him Picasso."? How can one person decide what is and isn't art?

10.) Do you think Evelyn considered Adam's feelings throughout her experiment? Do you think she considered the possibility that he might not do everything she suggested (i.e., work out more, lose weight, change appearance, etc.)?

11.) If you were in Adam's position, what would you have done in the final scene? Would you understand Evelyn's perspective or demand more answers?

12.) In your opinion, do you think Evelyn gave Adam the chance to say no to any of her suggestions? Think back to Scene 6 (doctor's office: nose job, men's rest room).

13.) What do you think Evelyn whispered in Adam's ear "that one time"?