White Rabbit, Red Rabbit

Media Release –For immediate Release

Theatre of the Unknown Liberates Audiences

SILO in association with Aurora Nova Productions present

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit

By Nassim Soleimanpour (Iran)

It’s become a worldwide phenomenon that no-one is allowed to talk about; information so closely guarded that the performers have never laid eyes on the script and like the audience, the play is unknown until the lights come up and the performer steps onto the stage. Silo’s next production offers up a mischievous theatrical experience that explores where theatre can take you – with White Rabbit, Red Rabbit from July 1st.

Only the bravest performers have taken up the challenge to perform a play, handed to them the moment they walk on stage with no rehearsal, no director and no indication of what the performance will entail. For some it is their worst nightmare. Assured by Silo that this is a production of consequence in the world we live in, the actors only have one task – prepare an ostrich impersonation.

As the play unfolds, both the audience and the performer discover the play in real time, creating a never-the-same, shared experience. Holding hands, performer and audience stumble together into the personal and profound.

Part meta-theatrical experiment, part social experiment, White Rabbit, Red Rabbit requires the performer to become “Nassim Soleimanpour”, as we discover the limitations of liberty, freedom and above all else, the extremes of obedience.

Penned by the then 29 year old Iranian Nassim Soleimanpour, White Rabbit, Red Rabbit became the writer’s ticket to vicariously travel around the world. A conscientious objector, refusing to undertake mandatory military service, Soleimanpour could not obtain a passport.

Instead, from the confines of his own environment, he penned a play that helped him travel the world in his own way and without borders. Be it from reviews posted online, messages to his email address or through blogging and social networking, White Rabbit Red Rabbit is theatre that asks you to leave your phone on, and serendipitously meet Nassim.

By these means, Nassim has “visited” Edinburgh, London, Ireland, the United States, Canada and even Brazil. Upon its performance in Australia earlier this year, it marked a rare occasion that Nassim could watch the performance live – having finally been granted a passport.

Nassim’s proverbial shoes have been filled by an array of incredible performers across the world –as the likes of Arthur Darvill, Tamsin Greig, Juliet Stevenson, Kath & Kim’s Magda Szubanski filmmaker Ken Loach and even stand-up comedian Mark Watson have take part in this theatrical voyage.

Each performance features one surprise performer. Silo’s season at Q Theatre’s Loft boasts some of New Zealand’s finest performers – the revolving cast includes: Mia Blake, Alison Bruce, Oliver Driver, Jess Holly Bates, Stephen Lovatt, Elizabeth McRae, Pua Magasiva, Natalie Medlock, Jarod Rawiri, Sophie Roberts, Paolo Rotondo, Rima Te Wiata and Jennifer Ward-Lealand…with more to be announced.

Entrust yourself in Silo, as they bring you a future classic we can’t really say much more about.

URGENT: All media and press agents have to keep in mind that the playwright lives in Iran. This play is NOT overtly political, and should not be portrayed as such. It operates on a deeper, metaphoric level, and very expressly avoids overt political comment. Any allusions to it being anti-government could, quite literally, endanger the playwright’s life. We therefore ask the press to be judicious in their reportage.

WHITE RABBIT, RED RABBIT plays:
1st – 13th July 2013, 7pm (Wed/Thurs: 8pm. Additional performances Friday and Saturday at 9pm)
Loft @ Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Preview: Monday 1st July.
Opening Night: Tuesday 2nd July.
Open Dialogue: Wednesday 10th July.
Tickets: $20 - $39 (service fees apply).
Bookings: Q Theatre – 09 309 9771 or www.qtheatre.co.nz

ENDS

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