Winner of four Helpmann Awards
A triumphant adaptation of a deeply tragic story.
A genre-hopping triumph.
MELBOURNE FESTIVAL CO-COMMISSION
Composer Kate Miller-Heidke
Librettist Lally Katz
Adaptor & Director John Sheedy
Musical Director, Musical Arrangements & Additional Music Iain Grandage
Designer Gabriela Tylesova
Indie–pop artist Kate Miller-Heidke brings to life John Marsden and Shaun Tan’s compelling picture–book The Rabbits in this new work of operatic theatre for adults and children alike.
The Rabbits tells a story we all know: a story of colonisation, civilisation and progress—a story about displacement, destruction and culture clash. And in that landscape, it tells a story of hope taking root.
Gabriela Tylesova’s eccentric sets and costumes realise Tan’s pictures in all of their mystical wonder, while Lally Katz has turned Marsden’s spare poetry into an enchanting libretto.
ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION
CLEMENGER AUDITORIUM, NGV // FREE
SUN 11 OCTOBER at 11am
Hear from author John Marsden and illustrator Shaun Tan.
READING—THE RABBITS
MPAVILION // FREE
SUN 11 OCTOBER at 1pm
A free reading of the iconic picture book at this year's MPavilion.
CREDITS
Lighting Designer Trent Suidgeest
Sound Designer Michael Waters
Indigenous Consultant Rachael Maza
Marsupials
Coda Hollie Andrew
Flinch Jessica Hitchcock
Roxie Lisa Maza
2 Stripe Marcus Corowa
3 Stripe David Leha
Rabbits
A Scientist Kanen Breen
A Society Rabbit Nicholas Jones
A Convict Christopher Hiller
A Lieutenant Simon Meadows
The Captain Robert Mitchell
The Rabbits, written by John Marsden and illustrated by Shaun Tan, was first published in Australia by Lothian Books. The opera is produced by arrangement with Hachette Australia Pty Ltd.
This project is assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals—Melbourne Festival and Perth International Arts Festival, and the Western Australian Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts.
