AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Once upon a time, there was a velveteen rabbit who appeared in the nursery one Christmas - a toy for one lucky little boy. During his quest to become "real" the rabbit meets many colourful characters Including the ‘Rag Doll’ and ‘The Clockwork Mouse’, as well as sinister swing dancing rabbits 'Bunny & Clyde'. With the help of the wise 'Skin horse' and the magical 'Dew-Drop Fairy', 'Velveteen' is made real by the boy who loves him.
Inspired by, rather than a strict adaptation of Margery Williams's classic 1922 children's story, Simon Chan's musical version of The Velveteen Rabbit integrates a wide array of musical styles.
Notes
-
- Hear Connor Ensor sing 'Real' from the 2012 Metro Arts production (available via YouTube).
- An instrumental verson of the song 'Sometimes' is also available via YouTube.
- Hear 'Ain't No Rabbit' on Soundcloud.
Production Details
-
2001: Bar Association's Common Room, Inns of Court, Brisbane; 11 March
- Cast: Barbara Fordham (Velveteen Rabbit), Sam Vincent (The Boy), Michaela Shea (Clockwork Mouse), Sarah Sullivan (Drewdrop Fairy), Ralph Devlin (Steamy the toy battleship/Harold the rabbit), Katrina Devery (Choo-Choo the toy train/Gwenda the rabbit), Don Batchelor (Skin Horse).
- Musicians: Kelly Crooke (piano), Sam Vincent (bass), Sean Lawless (drums/percussion).
- This debut performance was a reading with no stage set and limited costuming.
2004: The Loft, Queensland University of Technology Creative Industries; 15-17 July
- Director Simon Chan; Producer The Other Production Company and QUT Creative Industries; Music Director Robert Adamson; Set/Costume Design Linda Lucas; Lighting Design Tristan Ayton; Sound Design Michael Mader; Stage Manager Jodie Roche.
- Cast: Jessica Lockhart (Velveteen Rabbit), Shaun Coggins (Clockwork Mouse/The Boy), Natalie De Jager (Dewdrop Fairy), Jody Lock (Rag Doll/Gwennie, a real rabbit), Luke Rimmelzwaan (Mime Toy/Norm, a real rabbit), Dragitsa Debert (Steamy/Nana), Brett Heatrh (Cho-Choo/The Doctor), Simon Chan (Skin Horse).
2012: Metro Arts, Brisbane; 12 -29 July
- Director Shane McLennan; Producer Joon Kwok for The Other Production Company; Designer Joon Kwok; Choreography Kimie Tsukakoshi; Orchestrations David Lazar; Lighting Design Andrew 'Panda' Haden.
- Cast included Conor Ensor (Velveteen Rabbit), Georgina Purdie (Steamy), Matt Gaffney (Choo-Choo), Meg Kiddle (Clockwork Mouse), Nikki Blade (Music Box Dancer), Jessica Adie, Cait Gregor, Franceska Jaiyeola, Walter Lago.
NB: The Velveteen Rabbit has also been produced on at least four occasions in the USA between 2010 and 2012 - including productions in New York City and Delaware (details coming soon).
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Be Vewy, Vewy Qwiet: 'The Velveteen Rabbit'
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: M/C Reviews , July 2004;
— Review of The Velveteen Rabbit 2001 single work musical theatre
-
Be Vewy, Vewy Qwiet: 'The Velveteen Rabbit'
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: M/C Reviews , July 2004;
— Review of The Velveteen Rabbit 2001 single work musical theatre