In British playwright Nina Raine’s ‘Rabbit’, the main character Bella is faced with a difficult choice. She has to choose between spending the night keeping vigil at the bedside of her father who lies ill in hospital, or to party on with her friends at a city bar to celebrate her 29th birthday. Bella makes the softer of the choices and plays the party girl.

There’s plenty of fuel in Raine’s fire. The unresolved conflicts between Bella and her father play out in the background. A few of her friends at the party are master provocateurs, Sandy is a bold, brassy, straight talking young woman. Her friend and former lover Richard is confident and outspoken. As the night goes on, and more and more alcohol is consumed, the talk turns in to a big debate on the battle between the sexes.

Brendan Cowell, in his STC directorial debut, keeps the play moving at a good pace, and builds up the tension well as the play leads to a strong, emotional climax. Cowell wins strong performances from his cast.

Alison Bell is great as the hedonistic Bella who has a thing or two to learn about dealing with issues. Geoff Morrell is a shadowy presence as her father.

Toby Schmitz once again shows he has real stage presence as loquacious lawyer Richard. Kate Mulvany played Bella’s Doctor friend, Emily, who is seen some dark things. Romy Bartz does well as the spunky, feisty Sandy, and Ryan Johnson rounds out the cast as the laid-back friend, Tom.

‘Rabbit’ plays Wharf 1 at the Sydney Theatre Company until the 18th January, 2009