RABBIT HOLE
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By David Lindsay-Abaire Directed by Vicky Yiannoutsos at Unitec Theatre, Entry 1, Carrington Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland From 1 Aug 2012 to 4 Aug 2012 Reviewed by: Johnny Givins; |
‘Between grief and blame …waits forgiveness'…
Rabbit Hole, by 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire, is a moving account of Becca and Howie dealing with the accidental death of their young son. When Becca's sister announces her pregnancy, she and Howie must come to terms with new life in the family, and choose to find a way forward, or fragment beneath the weight of blame and sorrow.
The play considers all ramifications in a compassionate, deft and humorous manner.
In this Unitec production the cast of five are Pasifika students and in response to this director, Vicky Yiannoutsos has chosen to play these as Samoan characters making their lives in America, as many Samoans in the diaspora have done. This brings a cultural presence to the play which illuminates themes in a surprising manner.
In 2012, Unitec's Department of Performing and Screen Arts in Mt Albert, Auckland undertook to trial an innovative curriculum development. The departments acting programme enrolled five students who have graduated from BEST Training's Pacific Institute of Performing Arts (PIPA) two year Diploma in Acting, to do the equivalent of a third year of study in order to graduate with a Unitec Bachelors' Degree in Performing Arts.
The students take classes with other year groups but also undertake separate projects. Their first public performance is Rabbit Hole by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and will show at the Unitec Theatre from August 1-4, 2012.
Dates & Venue / Tickets
1-4 August, 7pm
Unitec Theatre, Entry 1, Carrington Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland
Tickets at www.iticket.co.nz or (09) 361 1000
Cast
Becca: Joanna Mika-Toloa
Howie: Hans Masoe
Izzy: Lynette Itagia Fesuluai
Nat: Nastassia Bianca Wolfgramm
Jason: Jeremy Hewett