How to Eat Rabbit Review: Dystopian Dramedy at La Mama Courthouse
"How to Eat Rabbit," a dark comedy focused on survival, is currently showing at La Mama Courthouse in Melbourne. This performance is part of the Hope Punk Climate Festival, which concludes on September 11. The play, directed by Lilah Benetti, follows two characters, Cam, played by Jamila Main, and Alex, portrayed by Nory Gretz. They find themselves seeking refuge underground as they brace for an impending apocalypse. The production emphasizes themes of conflict between militaristic survival strategies and a yearning for harmony, while also addressing accessibility with surtitles, despite some issues on opening night. The production is brought to life by Pillow Fight Theatre.
Key facts
- How to Eat Rabbit is written by Jamila Main, also known for Benched and Pillow Talk.
- The play is directed by Lilah Benetti and stars Jamila Main as Cam and Nory Gretz as Alex.
- It is staged at La Mama Courthouse in Melbourne until 11 September as part of the Hope Punk Climate Festival.
- The production is by Pillow Fight Theatre, a majority disabled person-run company.
- The play is a dystopian survivalist dramedy set in an underground burrow.
- Alex insists on hunting rabbits for food, which Cam, a vegetarian, refuses.
- Cam secretly suffers from abdominal pain and relies on pain relief pills.
- The set design is by Lara Chamas, with costume design by Jamila Main.
- The score is by Cynthia Spleen.
- The play explores themes of survival, disability, and differing responses to crisis.
Entities
Artists
- Jamila Main
- Nory Gretz
- Lilah Benetti
- Lara Chamas
- Cynthia Spleen
- Stephen A Russell
Institutions
- La Mama Courthouse
- Hope Punk Climate Festival
- Pillow Fight Theatre
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia