This unusual and fascinating piece of theatre hooks the audience’s attention from start to finish.
How do you write about a show without giving anything away? This is the dilemma that I was left facing in this fascinating piece of theatre that is extremely thought provoking and challenging in the best way.
Featuring a guest performer at every performance (which means you will never know what to expect depending on the performer and the different audience ), White Rabbit Red Rabbit sees the performer in question opening the script for the first time on stage and has to follow every twist and turn that is thrown their way.
Given the nature of the show Nassim Soleimanpour’s script has plenty of twists and turns – it tackles darker themes with ease (although at times a little more depth could help make it feel slightly more rounded), yet balances it with humour and playfulness to make for fascinating viewing.
Challenging the audience’s perspectives on complicity, trust and obedience in the space of an hour it covers a huge range of issues in a distinctive and almost philosophical way. It was written when Soleimanpour was unable to leave Iran and is as hard hitting as it is thought provoking – it really does have to be seen to be believed. While the focus is on Iran, it is also a story that could be applied to many countries around the world.
What makes it also compelling to watch is the way in which there is a great variety in tone and energy throughout, which of course has a lot to do with the performer that the audience see and how the audience reacts to it. The way that the audience is not passive but rather active participants in how it unfolds not only feels refreshingly done but also a powerful tool in highlighting important themes of control and obedience, adding to the ongoing tension that ripples through the show.
On press night, Nick Mohammed offered a charming performance that conveyed the range of emotions that he clearly felt on having to perform this. He is of course able to deliver very confidently the funnier aspects of the script, but he is equally as adept at handling the more dramatic aspects as well that keep the audience themselves throughly engaged and guessing as to what to expect next. After the show I couldn’t help but wonder how the other performers lined up were going to deliver this script in their own way.
There are plenty of questions and thoughts that White Rabbit Red Rabbit will leave you with, making it one of the best theatrical experiences I have had in the West End this year. No matter which performer you see – you are guaranteed to have an intriguing time…
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets visit:https://sohoplace.org/shows/white-rabbit-red-rabbit
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐