Wishful Beginnings – Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs) – Oct 6-8

Verk Produksjoner are a Norwegian theatre company who dabble with the unknown. They are a collective who create obscure, experimental and quirky theatre. In their own words, they are known for their “epic and vaudevillesque form of acting with satirical and political undertones”.  This new work Wishful Beginnings premiered in April of this year and has a short run in the Theatre Festival, finishing this Saturday.

The most striking thing about this production is the lack of a stage. It has been boarded up with sheets of ply, to roof level. They have a small area in front of the seats and also perform on the steps at the edge of the seating. A restricted space that allows them to be in amongst the audience.

The production starts with a number of questions between two of the cast. One member queries the other in relation to his beliefs and also trivial matters such as his favourite colour. Further members of the cast are introduced into the game before it slowly dissolves. The band of performers dance, tell stories and change into a variety of costumes. Masks play a prominent role in the production, along with impressive lighting. There are a number of stories about different dystopian futures, with a variety of bleak endings for the human race.

There is a lack of cohesion to the production, a feeling that anything can happen. As an audience member you keep looking for something that draws the various strands together, but possibly there is no link between them. This will definitely not be to everyone’s taste. The most impressive moments are some striking images and eerie sounds. The cast perform with passion and intensity in their attempts to unnerve and disconcert their viewers.

Cast and Creative Team:

With and by Fredrik Hannestad, Saila Hyttinen, Tilo Hahn, Signe Becker, Solveig Laland Mohn, Håkon Mathias Vassvik, Per Platou, Anders Mossling, Espen Klouman Høiner, Pernille Mogensen, Camilla Eeg-Tverbakk, Jon Refsdal Moe, Agnes Gry

Co-production by Black Box Teater, BIT-Teatergarasjen and Teaterhuset Avant Garden.
Supported by Arts Council Norway.