Review: THE DANISH PLAY

Sonja Mills endlessly fascinating script for The Danish Play is literate and rather ingeniously structured. It chronicles the true story of Agnete Ottosen, a resistance fighter who was captured by the Nazi's in Copenhagen in 1944. It follows her ordeal as she returns after internment at Ravensbruck having suffered torture and forced sterilization.

As a memory play it weaves the details though a series of scenes as each Christmas a group of Danish friends gather to toast the season. You do have to pay attention as it leaps in time from the 1960s back to the days of World War II, but it's far from enigmatic.  If anything, it is a show that will reward viewers with subsequent viewings.

With this cast, subsequent viewings will only reveal further nuances in the thoughtful and sharply drawn performances.  At the head of the class is Kate Hennig's definitive take of the role of Agnete. Her rich and deeply moving performance is one that will linger long after the final curtain.

Clinton Walker as the openly gay confidante in a performance that avoids cheap laughs gives her excellent support.  Also, Bruce Hunter as Mads, the man who loves Agnete from afar plays with a stern dignity that never completely masks his feelings.

Christine Brubaker as Bente and Randi Helmers as Helga are most successful in switching from one time period to another and Brubaker in particular has some beautifully underplayed scenes with Hennig.

Kelly Thornton deserves much of the credit for creating smooth transitions from scene to scene, aided by Robin Fisher's inventive set design and notably the extremely effective lighting by Rebecca Picherack.

The play Sonja Mills has created tells a riveting story that needs to be seen by anyone who cares about modern theatre and Danish history.

 

Nightwood Theatre's production of The Danish Play continues at the The Young centre for Performing Arts until Saturday Match 17. Performances begin at 8:00 Monday to Saturday with matinees at 12:30 PM on Wednesdays and 2 PM on Saturdays. Tickets are available at www.totix.ca or by calling the Box Office at 416-866-8666.