White Rabbit, Red Rabbit – Malthouse

Overview

You've probably never seen anything like White Rabbit, Red Rabbit. Guess what? Neither have the actors. In this one-of-a-kind theatrical experiment, each night a different performer takes the stage having never seen the script, their only instruction beforehand to prepare an impression of an ostrich.

Described by critics as everything from humorous to terrifying, it is the work of Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour. For years unable to leave his country — Soleimanpour was denied a passport for refusing national service — he created a play that needed no direction beyond what he could include in the script. The play has travelled the world and hopped languages since he wrote it in 2010. Soleimanpour himself only finally got to see it performed earlier this year.

Now it's come to the Malthouse and an eclectic range of local performers — including actors, comedians and TV personalities — will take the plunge. It promises to be a journey deep down the proverbial rabbit hole.