Synopsis

Deep within a forest, where the sun filters through bracken and trees, a father and son’s camping trip becomes a crucible for unspoken truths and painful revelations.

The Man, a conflicted father in his late thirties, takes his thirteen-year-old son The Boy on a camping trip in Brad Birch’s poignant play Where The Shot Rabbits Lay. As they pitch their tent, hunt rabbits, and attempt to fish, the pair navigate the treacherous waters of their fractured relationship. Through a series of increasingly tense encounters, The Man struggles to connect with his son while grappling with his own failures and disappointments. Birch’s script deftly explores the themes of fatherhood, masculinity, and the weight of unfulfilled expectations, set against the backdrop of nature’s indifference.

The play delves into the complexities of father-son relationships, examining how patterns of behaviour and emotional repression are passed down through generations. As The Man attempts to impart life lessons and outdoor skills to The Boy, his own insecurities and regrets bubble to the surface. The Boy’s innocence and curiosity clash with his father’s world-weary cynicism, creating a tension that threatens to unravel their tenuous bond. Through their interactions and The Man’s eventual confessions, the play poses challenging questions about the nature of responsibility, the impact of parental choices on children, and the possibility of breaking destructive cycles. As the characters confront harsh truths under the vast, indifferent sky, the audience is left to ponder: In a world where disappointment seems inevitable, how do we find the courage to remain present for those who depend on us?