Innovative and highly creative, east meets west in playwright Shane Woon’s love story about Chinese gods and AFL football. The Rabbit in the title is the Rabbit God Tu’er Shen (played by Sean Yuen Halley), the patron saint of queer people. Watson (Anton Pan-Cassin) is a budding AFL player, at age 22 on his last chance to make it in the Big League.
They literally bump into each other after a colourful (and loud) lion dance that starts the show and Watson immediately makes his move. Although attracted to him, Rabbit, who has been in this position many times before, tries to take a softly, softly approach, although Watson is nothing if not persistent.
Watson’s mother (a role filled by Dr Cindy Pan) does everything she can to encourage him to pursue his AFL dream and with it fame and fortune. She also wants him to find a partner, but is not convinced that Rabbit is the right guy. Meanwhile, Rabbit is being counselled by the Monkey King (Jesse Vasiliadis). He fears Rabbit is going down the same path as he has previously, for it has been a case of rinse and repeat.
The folly of his ways is also being highlighted by another one of the gods. She warns him that like all other occasions, things can only end disastrously, after which he will be exiled. But, Rabbit maintains that this time will be different and is destined to be with Watson. In order to do that, Rabbit wants Watson to maintain a low profile, but that is not how things work out.
At the same time, Rabbit, who knows nothing about Aussie Rules Football, has taken up a role as head of a performing arts inclusion program for young people. He does so at a community centre, where he will share the space with gung-ho under 17s footy coach Zack (Gabriel Partington), whose AFL dream fell with injury. Zach’s fiancé, Dot (Charlie Morris) is the hyper enthusiastic head of the cheer squad. But as Zach is unexpectedly drawn into Rabbit’s arts’ world, he and Dot no longer see eye to eye. In short, there is trouble in paradise.
So, there is a lot going on here … in fact, even more than I have referenced. It is quite an intriguing and fascinating conceit that is explored. From an AFL perspective, no player has ever come out as gay. It was only recently that the first FORMER player outed himself. Secondly, despite their ever-increasing numbers in Australia, there are a scant few players of Asian heritage who have played in the AFL. Thirdly, the arts and football are seen as polar opposites, and never the twain shall meet. Why? I, for one, am an avid and long-suffering Essendon supporter, who attends most games, as well as a huge theatre lover.
In crafting the work, which contains a series of short, attractive music stings, Woon wanted to express his Chinese-Malaysian heritage and his identity as an Australian. From a young age, he was enamoured by Aussie Rules. He also fell in love with the myths and deity creation stories from Taoist culture.
For director Keith Brockett, an artist of Chinese-Malaysian and English heritage, much of his life has been shaped by questions of identity, belonging and inheritance. He puts it well when he says that Rabbit & Watson refuses to accept the divisions between cultural experiences, queer stories, religion and sports.
So it is that the play moves into a new realm, which I highly commend. It is slickly produced and well-acted (four of the six actors play multiple roles) by an accomplished, energetic and spirited cast, without a dropped line. The narrative calls upon them to work hard throughout and that they do. Dramatic and humorous, Rabbit & Watson moves along at pace. There is not a dull moment.
The evocative and most attractive lion dance that begins proceedings is attention grabbing and powerful. The venue even supplies ear plugs for those few minutes because the drumming and cymbals are noisy. A handful of carefully chosen props serves the piece well, with some striking and disparate costuming from set and costume designer Eugyeene Teh. I was also sold on the effectiveness and prominence of the lighting and sound design by Joe Paradise Lui, which enhance the offering.
Rabbit & Watson resonates. It says to me that as a multicultural society we have a long way to go in building acceptance, tolerance and understanding, but we would be all the richer for it. Two hours without interval, the celestial love story Rabbit & Watson is on at Northcote Town Hall until 26th July, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- The One (The Ensemble) – theatre review
- The Perfume Garden (Chapel off Chapel) – theatre review
- Girls & Boys (MTC) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.