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Being Norwegian
4.5 stars (Out of 5)
Stage 22, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Ave.
In a festival full of improv, parodies, musicals, confessional solo shows and everything in between, it’s honestly refreshing to see a tight 45-minute character-driven two-hander featuring veteran performers.
Clarice Eckford and Cody Porter give lived-in performances in this Amy DeFelice-directed production of David Greig’s 2007 play that’s essentially about two lonely people finding each other in the darkness.
But of course it’s not as easy as meeting in the pub and tumbling into bed.
There are defences to get past. Discomfort to overcome.
Porter’s Sean is a sad sack of a man, but one who is stuck. Stuck in his past missteps. Stuck in shame. Closing himself off. He wears it like armour. His nervousness and apprehension are palpable.
Eckford’s Lisa meanwhile is disarmingly breezy, but you can tell she’s driven by desperation for some sort of connection, and when things don’t go as she’s likely hoped, the emotional break feels all too real.
The pair bring sweetness and sadness, and well-placed laughs.
While I do appreciate the shorter runtime, I certainly would have enjoyed learning more about these characters. What are the events that led to Sean’s misery? What is the source of Lisa’s emotional wounds?
Perhaps they’re questions better left unanswered. But it would be a great to spend more time with these performers.