The Rabbit That Keeps on Running: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit at Contact

Travelling the world without him, conscientious objector Nassim Soleimanpour's play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is never performed the same twice. He explains its unique effect on those it touches

Feature by Andrew Anderson | 01 Dec 2014

Imagine you've written a play and you can pick anyone you want to be involved – who would you choose? How about Hollywood legends John Hurt or Stephen Rea? If it's a comedy, maybe Marcus Brigstocke or Tamsin Greig would be good? Perhaps Ken Loach might offer to help out, if he's not too busy? Or what about if all of these people got on board: what would that be like?

Well, that is exactly what has happened with the play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, which is coming to Contact this month. Writer Nassim Soleimanpour tells a story that explores obedience, self-expression and an artist's mission that has toured the world over. But how exactly did he get hold of such starry collaborators? The answer is, he didn't – or at least, not all at once.

Soleimanpour lives in Iran and back in 2010, while working at Tehran University, he refused military service – which is quite a common thing to do in Iran – and as a result was not allowed to travel abroad. For most people, that would be the end of that, but not for Soleimanpour, who came up with a plan for a play that could travel the world in his place. In order to keep things uncomplicated he kept the script to one actor, who would not be allowed to see it in advance and who could only perform it once. This meant organisation was minimal, rehearsal nonexistent and that each night would be unique. The result is White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, which has now been on tour for four years and has been performed by all of the artists mentioned above and dozens more. Shobna Gulati, the former Coronation Street actor who has a long history of involvement with Contact, will add her name to this illustrious list when she takes the stage on 2 December.


“Rehearsals are spoilers: you end up with something that isn't as fun” – Nassim Soleimanpour


"When I was living with my brother while writing the play I used to brag, 'it's going to tour forever,'" says Soleimanpour when I ask him about Rabbit's extraordinary achievements, "but I never imagined it would be like this." The play has had a profound effect on Soleimanpour’s life, allowing him to leave his job and become a full-time writer. But while Rabbit may have moved his career on, his interests remain the same: "The situation of not being able to travel was the trigger to write Rabbit, but I had always had these kinds of thoughts," he explains, alluding to Rabbit's unusual approach. "Rehearsals are spoilers: you fix all of the mistakes, but end up with something that isn't as fun."

It is not only Soleimanpour’s life that Rabbit has affected; the show has been performed by hundreds of people and seen by thousands more, and it is one of those works that has a lasting impact. "I get dozens of emails each day from audience members and performers which are heartening and beautiful," says Soleimanpour. "I never thought that writing Rabbit would lead to me becoming a writer, but it has."

It has also inspired some memorable moments, like when Soleimanpour – finally granted a passport in 2013 – saw the show and decided to get up on stage to interrupt it, or when an audience member brought a carrot to give to the actor.

"We're really excited to be bringing this to Contact," says Matt Fenton, the theatre’s artistic director. "It's been programmed by our young programming team, and they have their finger on the pulse of what is innovative and radical."

Ultimately, whatever words you use to describe Rabbit, there is one thing that can be guaranteed: this performance won't be like any that has happened before, and will never be repeated.

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is at Contact, Manchester, 2-3 Dec, 7.30pm. The performance features Shobna Gulati on 2 Dec and another actor yet to be announced on 3 Dec

http://www.auroranova.org/white-rabbit-red-rabbit