Theatre review: Moments – a dark Scandinavian drama in London

(Image: Sindri Swan)

Moments http://www.momentsplay.com/ at the Drayton Arms Theatre http://www.thedraytonarmstheatre.co.uk/theatre/visit-us/event-list/eventdetail/4958/-/- was a surprisingly harrowing drama for a Saturday afternoon in South Kensington.

This is the UK premiere of an Icelandic play originally written for radio. It is performed in Icelandic (subtitles) and English. The Icelandic language performance underlined the foreignness of the production, which is a significant element in a play that offers a cultural commentary about Iceland by Icelandic playwright Starri Hauksson.

The story highlights the toxic claustrophobia of family life in a close-knit Icelandic community and the loneliness of mental illness as the protagonist, Andri (Aron Trausti), looks back in anger and regret in the wake of a family tragedy. His self-imposed isolation brings a series of concerned visitors to his sordid apartment, but this also blurs the boundaries between his imagination and reality. Who is actually there to help and does it matter whether they are real or imaginary?

Ultimately, Andri finds a resolution, of sorts, but as this play is on for another week, I’m not including any spoilers – the plot has several interesting twists and the conclusion is not obvious, but one of numerous possibilities.

I was told that Moments is semi-autobiographical and the feeling of near reality is enhanced by flashback scenes using old family videos – actually the family videos of one of the actors – that show us images of the harsh climate and landscape of rural Iceland, where guns and hunting are part of growing up/becoming a man – and part of the catalyst for this drama.

Moments is well written, the acting is excellent (particularly Aron Trausti and Siggi Holm) and it is a thoughtful and sensitive production (Sindri Swan, Maya Lindh) that does not shy away from challenging topics. It offers food for thought and an interesting perspective on Iceland’s complex culture, contrasting Andri’s agoraphobia with the vast open spaces of the remote Northern Iceland landscapes in the videos – this is even more resonant if you have visited Iceland.

If you fancy an evening of dark Scandinavian drama – and the Drayton Arms is a nice venue for a drink/dinner too – don’t miss Moments.

Moments runs at the Drayton Arms Theatre in South Kensington onTuesday to Saturday evenings at 8pm until Saturday, 31st October 2015.