Zeitgeist Stage Company is finishing off its season with the New England premiere of Michael Hollinger’s “Tooth and Claw” at the Boston Center for the Arts from April 29 through May 21.

The play’s title is derived from the Tennyson poem commemorating the death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam, who was engaged to Tennyson’s sister Emily and died at the age of 22.

“Tooth and Claw” is a contemporary drama inspired by actual events in the 1990’s. The story pits the indigenous fisherman of the Galapagos Islands against environmentalists over the issue of harvesting sea cucumbers, both the primary source of income for the pepineros (the fisherman) and an essential part of the food chain for sea tortoises. The fisherman subsequently revolted and slaughtered the endangered tortoises in protest. Even now, the conflict continues with the fisherman in search of shark fins and sea cucumbers for Asian markets, unmindful of conservation efforts.

Hollinger wrote “Tooth and Claw” after hearing an NPR broadcast in 1995 about the Galapagos uprising. He later traveled to the islands to interview the scientists, fisherman and politicians involved in the conflict.

His research served as the basis for a story that looks not just at the survival of the fittest -- whether human, animal or flora -- but at the less obvious clash between science and conservation.

For tickets and information, call 617-933-8600 or visit www.Zeitgeist Stage.com.

-- OnStage Boston

04/24/05