Review: ACID SNOW at TEATR POLSKI WROCLAW

It will be colder... That statement is fulfilling director vision and as innocent as may sound has very strong message behind.

Scenography is only black walls and light, 8 actors wearing black, two cameras. The rest is up to a spectator.

Rolf Alme, Norwegian director, made a show based on Henrik Ibsen novel „A Doll's House" which is one of fundamental elements of north-europeans culture. You will somehow feel this icy simple way of life on stage. And that is the main question: Is this ice and snow reserved for north of our continent?

Behind its simplicity and black color there is a message and questions falling down as white snow in a cold winter.

Main character - played comely by Paulina Chabko - is Nora: Nora wife, Nora mother, Nora woman in 1879. At that time as a human being she was faced to a lot of restrictions, in front of audience eyes she is redefining herself using all she could and yet - as we watch it 140 years later - we realize how little and a lot she could do. Then question pops: Are we seeing Nora Norwegian in 19th century or a Woman in 2018?

Story is simple: Nora to save her family counterfeits her dad's signature on bill of exchange - as a women she needs a permission from father or husband to take a loan. The fraud is exposed and even though her lender after a while pardons her, facing anger of her husband and the fact that she depends on him for all the matters she decides to leave. But she doesn't run, for the first time it's her decision and probably her last one as her traces get lost in a snow... From naive „Little Squirrel" sawn by a man she becomes something very different.

Whole show is kind of tale/rehearsal/preparation and 8 young and vibe people are telling a story of a story. You can feel their undeniable energy of youth and sort of innocent and bearish power. That was the director goal as he specifically wanted young cast. The ensemble is always on stage and plays all the time, if not on lead role, as a choir/society/self-consciousness or even something else.

There are some brilliant and unusual moves - as Nora's husband Torvald is played by two actors, strong scenes - Nora's dance with all the people and the way they exhaust her till whole group literally drops, moments with goose-fletch - Nora's vulnerable, remarkable glaze, and - last but not least - some unfinished phrases that expect spectator to finish them. Intimacy involves audience so they cannot stay indifferent. There is a clear reference to our times and for some this part can be too bold, for other not bold enough but for sure there is no possibility to stay neutral.

Action leads nice and easy, scene after scene for a finally and out a comfort zone with no return.

This is a play that will make you think hours after a snowstorm on the scene.

Photo credit: Jan Oborski

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