I checked out the relatively new play, “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit” by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimmanpour at the Malaysian debut at the Penang Performing Arts Centre. The play has been produced around the world since its release in 2010 and it is currently being performed in Washington D.C. among other places. The genre is clearly in the camp of Theatre of the Absurd, so if you like a succinct plot and gripping storyline then this play is not for us. It was, however, an interesting theatre experience.

What’s the catch? The actor has never seen the script prior to the show. The night I watched it, the actor received the a sealed envelope with the script in it the moment he entered onto stage. He is, of course, as curious as the audience as to what might come next. After opening the envelope, he begins to read the script, which is, in a way, a personal letter of sorts from the playwright in Iran who has not been granted permission to travel out of the country because he has refused to complete military service.

What follows is a bizarre mix of improv, audience participation, and even an actor-appointed stenographer who is supposed to email the playwright a photo of the performance – his email, after all, is in the script.

As interesting and unique as the script is, from the audience’s perspective, whether it is an enjoyable night or not clearly depends on the talent and creativity of the actor who performs it blindly. A master of improv could have a whale of a time with it. Someone with impersonation skills would also do well. The actor I saw was clearly a little intimidated by the material, unsure how to get the audience clearly invested in the play which seems to be a crucial aspect of the script.

But Soleimmanpour is clearly making some statements about Iran and society conformity. It allows the audience to think though the meaning of many of the silly aspects of the play.

If you get a chance to see it, I recommend you checking it out IF you can tolerate the abstract.