John Marsden and Shaun Tan’s haunting picture book captivated a generation of children and adults, with its bold pictures and deeply moving story of progress, displacement and culture clash. It is a story that speaks to the world.
Opera Australia and Barking Gecko Theatre Company assembled some of Australia’s foremost creative talents to adapt this story into a new opera for children and families. The result was “a triumphant adaptation of a deeply tragic story”, wrote The Guardian.
Gabriela Tylesova’s sets and costumes realised Tan’s pictures in all of their mystical wonder, while Lally Katz transformed Marsden’s spare poetry into an enchanting libretto. Butterfly-voiced opera and pop singer Kate Miller-Heidke wrote the “simply beautiful” score (The Guardian) and performed in the production alongside a talented cast of opera singers and contemporary music performers.
The Rabbits won four Helpmann Awards, including Best New Australian Work, Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, and Best Presentation for Children.
Lighting designer Trent Suidgeest received the award for “Best Design in any Medium” at Performing Arts WA Awards, and a nomination for “Best Lighting for Opera” at the Green Room Awards.
GEAR LIST:
ETC EOS series consoles
Intelligents:
6 x Vari* Lite VL3500Q fitted with Custom gobos
7 x Martin MAC TW1 [Narrow Lens]
8 x Vari*Lite VLX LED Washlight
8 x Source 4 LED Lustre+ Series 2 – 36° HDLT with glass gobo holders instead of internal frost
2 x Rosco Revopro Dual Gobo Rotators
Follow Spots:
2 x Robert Juliet Topaze Followspot 1200w
Smoke & Haze:
2 x Power Tiny Foggers with DMXit for practical vehicle device
2 x Martin Magunum 1800 for practical chimneys
1 x Jem ZR 44 Hi Mass DMX Fogger
1 x Swefog Ultimate 3000 Oil Cracker
Conventionals:
20 x Pacific 5.5 – 13°
18 x Source Four 14°
24 x Source Four 19°
28 x Source Four 26°
42 x Source Four 36°
18 x Source Four Zoom 25-50°
22 x Selecon Rama HP Fresnel 1200W
40 x Selecon Arena Fresnel 2000W
20 x Selecon Arena PC Spot 2000W
10 x Iris 4 Cyclorama Flood 1250W
10 x LUI 4 Groundrow Flood 800W
60 x ETC Source Four PAR 750W
Various practical lighting
Wirelessly controlled cold white LED fitted inside Rabbit headpieces (for contrast to the marsupials)
Credits
Adapted from Shaun Tan / John Marsden book
Music by Kate Miller-Heidke
Libretto by Lally Katz
Musical Director, Musical Arrangements & Additional Music by Iain Grandage
Adapted and Directed by John Sheedy
Set and Costumes by Gabriela Tylesova
Lighting Design by Trent Suidgeest
Lighting Programmer/Operator: Kyle Bockmann
Production Electrician: Colin “Geordie” Alexander
More available at: www.trentsuidgeest.com
Production Shots by Jon Green
