RABBITS ON A RED PLANET. Photo: Ryley Gillen
The ultimate destruction of mankind on Earth is hastened by a plague of gigantic mutant rabbits. Only the heroic actions of an activist group called Tangleweb can save humans from extinction. But they need to get to Mars to do it. Enter, a mega-rich entrepreneur with a rocket ship who’s prepared to take two Tangleweb scientists with him to the Red Planet where he intends to declare himself king.
RABBITS ON A RED PLANET. Photo: Ryley Gillen
That’s the basic premise of Rabbits On a Red Planet, a new Australian musical premiering at Flight Path Theatre. Co-written by Andy Leonard and Irving Gregory with original music by Ryley Gillen, it is a sci-fi adventure parody with some subtle political/social commentary.
RABBITS ON A RED PLANET. Photo: Ryley Gillen
RABBITS ON A RED PLANET. Photo: Ryley Gillen
Leonard plays Rob Muskus, the entrepreneur. He is joined on stage by Isabelle Kohout as Dr Janice Evelyn, a Tangleweb scientist, and James Burchett as Adam, a data analyst /double agent. Jenny Woolley and Sara Camara make up the ensemble.
RABBITS ON A RED PLANET. Photo: Ryley Gillen
This is the first presentation from newly formed theatre company, Carrot & Stick Productions and it’s a brave venture; staging a quirky sci-fi musical might be more daring than a trip to Mars. However, it’s always refreshing to see new Australian works by emerging talent in a theatre whose aim is to bring art to the people.
And there just may be some prescient lessons to be learnt from this play.
June 8 – 24
Flight Path Theatre, Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville
www.flightpaththeatre.org