Rabbit Hole

Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, RABBIT HOLE is a moving, honest and surprisingly humorous portrait of a family searching for what remains possible in the most impossible of situations.

Becca (Janice Koh) and Howie (Adrian Pang) are returning to their everyday existence in the wake of a shocking accident. Caught in a maze of memory, longing, guilt, recrimination, sarcasm and tightly controlled rage, Howie lashes out and desperately attempts to find solace in a counseling group; while Becca opens up to her opinionated mother (Lok Meng Chue) and brash sister (Seong Hui Xuan). She also secretly reaches out to the teenager (Eden Ang) responsible for the accident that changed everything.

Yet, as lost as they are, the couple keeps trying to find their way back to a life that still holds the potential for hope, laughter and happiness. Their journey is an intimate exploration of the search for comfort in the darkest of places, and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day. Directed by Tracie Pang, Pangdemonium’s RABBIT HOLE is a beautiful and bittersweet story of loss, survival and the life-affirming power of family.

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Disclaimer: As an amateur theatre-goer, my review will be put across in the simplest form of words and of course, with all honesty.

My best friend and I just caught this production by Pangdemonium, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good and non-preachy it was. We've been trying to be more supportive of the local Arts scene so we each chose a play to watch this month. I chose The Importance of Being Earnest while she chose Rabbit Hole. Honestly, I was skeptical about her choice because after reading the synopsis, it seemed like it was going to be something dark and depressing which I most certainly do not need anymore of because of the daily existence of it in my life already. Thankfully, I was proven wrong.

I should've added in the disclaimer my bias towards certain actors i.e. Janice Koh and Adrian Pang. Watched and loved The Pupil (Channel 5 series) solely because of them. The amount of chemistry they have is so apparent and that definitely played a part in how well they portrayed their characters onstage. I most certainly did not expect the intense emotions that would be expressed in a way that touched my heart. (Do note that I'm pretty much a hardass when it comes to stuff like that. It takes a hell lot for me to feel that much for anyone or anything in any situation.)

After raving about the immensely good acting, I shall move on to the plot. I believe everyone will find something to relate to, especially since the story is based on the power of family. The ongoing theme of loss and grief aside, expect witty and humorous moments that you will most definitely identify with from your personal life. It is precisely because I could identify with certain aspects of this play, that made the whole production feel closer to my heart. Also, I hate it when shows try to preach the importance of insert any form of life people preach to you about so a thunderous applause to Rabbit Hole that had a way of putting the message out there but not choking people with it.

Movies or plays rarely affect the way I feel or basically the way I am but there was a take-home lesson for me after watching this. I'm not going to say precisely what it is as I wouldn't want to affect your opinion and after all, everyone's feelings would be subject to our own experiences. For me, it was pretty personal so I hope it would be the same for you too.

Overall, it was a great night spent with the cast of Rabbit Hole. Would not hesitate if asked to watch it again.

Get your tickets here quick before they sell out!

P.S.- It is not okay to clap between every single act. There was this one person who kept initiating applause between acts which is disruptive to the play and so rude! And others just followed suit... There were phones going off too. Please educate yourselves on basic theatre etiquette before going for one and inconveniencing others with your lack of knowledge. Show some basic respect please.