Rabbit Resource Pack - Frantic Assembly

CHAPTER 1 Starting points - Overview - The Play
THE FAMILY
Rabbit is about the clash of different worlds. Different spheres on a
collision course.
All families face generational conflict, misunderstandings and general
dysfunction. The Cave family is no different.
While here the younger generation possess a vibrancy, a passion, a
sexual charge that appears lost in the elder generation, they also
possess a naivety, a selfishness, a self righteous quality that can only
present itself to an older, ‘wiser’ generation as folly. Been there, done
that, bought the T-shirt.
The older generation here can be accused of a cynicism, a direct
denial of optimism, that strips the world of any form of hope. They
are cold, ignorant of how the world has changed and how priorities
have altered since their day.
They would of course point out that this is a natural process of
enlightenment to the true nature of the world that develops through
age and experience and is denied to the idealistic over-simplistic (or is
it overcomplicated?) world of their offspring.
What is equally abhorrent to both generations is that one spawned
the other and the mutation from one into the other over time is
unavoidable. It is also a process of loss and acquisition. What Paul has
gained in material worth and worldly knowledge he has lost in
freedom and spontaneity.
Paul
Kate
(about Madeline and Spin) Why were they scurrying?
Paul, you’re not at work now. They were scurrying.
We used to scurry. It’s not illegal. (p.29)
The problem is that Paul and Madeline exist purely in their own worlds. They are the pilots of their spheres, shaping their
own destinies. At least that is how it seems. What will shatter this illusion is the bombshell of Paul’s mortality and both
enter a new phase of understanding. Their worlds are blown apart yet they are both united under the shadow of mortality.
This is a natural and inevitable stage in life. One that causes us to reassess the way we choose to live and challenges the
perceived roles of parents and children. Madeline challenges Paul’s dominance in the family but when Paul betrays his own
fragility it tests her own willingness to grow up. If growing up is about death, who would want to grow up?
Despite Madeline’s protests she is used to the material benefits she receives from her father
Kate You should have respect for your father. He does a lot for you.
Madeline He does it with money, Mum. Cars. Phones. Rent. Spin says: The more plastic parenting you receive the more
you lack in such things as independence, self worth and - other things. dad has denied me my right to learn
how to live in the real world
Kate Well darling, why don’t you give back the money, hand over the car, return the phone, move out of the apartment?
He’s not forcing them on you.
Madeline I’ve adjusted. I’m conditioned now. I’d be lost without my things. (p.65)
With her father strong, outspoken, larger than life, she has her clearly defined role in life. That of rebel, crusader for an
alternative lifestyle. Ironically what she needs most of all is status quo. Her world relies upon the monster that is her father
as master of his world, a world diametrically opposed to her own. This gives her a drive, a purpose, but ultimately, just like
Spin, it gives her an excuse.
Spin (about the death of his parents in a glider accident) And I knew that I didn’t feel that good. And I knew I didn’t
feel that bad. I just knew I’d be okay from now on. Cos - I had an excuse. (p.79)
What do you think Spin means by ‘an excuse’? Who else has ‘an excuse’ for their behaviour?
Madeline is about to be forced to grow up and take on a new role in her family. In losing her father she also loses her excuse.
She is also the only character apart from Paul who takes on board what a change Paul’s demise will bring about. By contrast
Kate sets about replacing Paul, maintaining the status quo and in turn maintaining her own ‘excuse’. She has her place in
her world of baked rabbit and pinot noir. It is this world that shapes and excuses her actions.
Rabbit presents a really desperate view of family. It appears to be an arena of hate and blame rather than a structure of
support and encouragement. Madeline instinctively knows the provocative way her parents behave.
Madeline
Mum will just flit around the kitchen guzzling plonk and stating the obvious, and Dad will play all cryptic and bitter. (p.22)
While she is not at all wrong it becomes clear that this is the only behaviour she knows and could deal with. When her Dad
betrays his fragility she breaks down and is unable to speak. At last Paul and Madeline share something as they sit in silence
for the rest of the play and contemplate their loss. The moment where they find each other and silently dance together is
probably the most genuine moment of connection in the whole play.
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