The Rabbits
Image: Photo: Jon Green
The Rabbits is one of most original local productions to appear on Australian stages in recent years. Billed as an “opera”, its spoken word component places it firmly in the genre of musical theatre.
Based on a children’s book written by John Marsden and illustrated by Shaun Tan, The Rabbits (director John Sheedy, librettist Lally Katz) portrays the colonisation of Australia through the invasion of rabbits in a land where marsupials have hitherto reigned supreme.
The rabbits represent the white aliens while the marsupials are representative of Aboriginal people, native animals and indeed the country itself.
The marsupials resist the invaders, who introduce foreign customs, despoil the landscape, and steal the children of the native inhabitants.
Kate Miller-Heidke composed the opera in a variety of musical styles and also sings the role of the bird, who acts as a kind of Australian-style Greek chorus.
It was terrific to hear Indigenous singers Lisa Maza, Marcus Corowa and David Leha hold their own alongside seasoned opera artists such as Kanen Breen and Simon Meadows, among others.
Even if children don’t get the “message” of the opera, or find the music difficult, they will be delighted by the imaginative costumes of Gabriela Tylesova and the clever staging of the work.
The nastier aspects of colonisation are set aside as the story draws to its conclusion, with a single rabbit and marsupial looking at each other, no doubt contemplating their common future. What that will be, will depend on what we do about it. (ID)
Until Jan 24. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $47-$98. Tickets & info: opera.org.au
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