Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Carroll Lefebvre and assisted by Linda Berndt, is Sidekick Players’ second production of the season.
Rabbit Hole deals with the ways family members survive a major loss and includes comedy as well as tragedy.
Lefebvre’s production handles the material with finesse and hints at the class distinctions between the characters.
Justine Jones is very good at suggesting the minutiae of pain as Becca, and Adrian Pryce, as her risk-management husband, clearly inhabit the rarified world of graduate-filled suburbia, while Tiffany Rose Oud as Becca’s bruisingly candid sister and Lisa Somerville as the tactless, gossipy mum. are palpably not on the same circuit. One of the play’s best touches is to show that Becca relates more easily to a highly literate local teenager, nicely played by Brent Morrison, who was the inadvertent cause of her son’s death.
Lindsay-Abaire’s perfectly truthful point is that, however much you try to let go of grief, you carry it around.
“This play has pushed us all into another level of theatre,” said Lefebvre. “As a director, the characters have insinuated themselves into my life. I have never felt so ‘in touch’ with each character on a personal basis as I have with these five very different and complicated people. We all have been touched deeply by Abaire’s words and each fragile character in this play. Emotionally, it has brought us to tears, anger and laughter.
“When we leave each rehearsal, we are all exhausted and yet, invigorated to do it all again. It has been an absolute pleasure working with each very dedicated and talented actor in this production.”
Rabbit Hole opens Jan. 19 and runs to Feb. 3 at The Tsawwassen Arts Centre, (1172 56th Street). Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.
To reserve tickets, call 604-288-2415. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors/students. Limited seating available, so calling early is highly recommended. This play is not suitable for children.
