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Nikolina
Verdict: Scars of war
Nikolina flees her Serbian homeland to a new life in Britain during the 1990s' conflict. She finds that hatred and suspicion are still part of her everyday life.
A semi-naked woman shivers in the cold. Two soldiers approach. She cowers. They offer food,blankets and shelter. She's knocked out with a rifle-butt and dragged away.
Nikolina is not a comfortable play. It shows how women were treated during the conflict. Bombings, fear of capture, rape and death happened every day.
Nikolina (Emma Forster) and brother
Aleks (George Perrin) now live in a run-down Sheffield flat. She's the
waitress at the café used by Dale (Simon Darwen), his girlfriend Ruth (Sally
Proctor), and Francis (Paul Jellis). Nikolina speaks very little at work and Francis takes delight in taunting her about
it.
Dale wants to marry Ruth, but she's having an affair with Francis. After an argument with her lover, Ruth seeks revenge in a
destructive and spiteful way. The consequence of her actions brings Nikolina's past flooding back.
With each scene, it's evident that the characters are not what they seem. As the life of each each individual shifts, it becomes clear that even in a safe-house, there is no escaping the past.
Writer Van Badham covers taboo subjects with sensitivity. Although the play shocks, particularly in the scene between Nikolina and her brother, it is not for titillation. Sometimes, the play suggests, love and solace are sought where they might be found - whether or not that is conventionally acceptable - and that may be the only way to survive. There are flecks of wry humour, especially the exchange between Dale and Aleks.
The scene shifts are confusing until - as with a complex 3-D jigsaw-puzzle - all
the interlocking parts form a whole.
Writer Van Badham's experiences with Serbian refugees is reflected in the intricate tale she weaves about Nikolina. Layers of complex emotions are sympathetically constructed by a group of exceptional actors. The pain and horror evoked invite questions as to what anyone would do in a similar situation. A superbly crafted play, and utterly compelling.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Simon Darwen - Dale/Soldier. Emma Forster - Nikolina. Paul Jellis - Francis/Soldier. George Perrin - Aleks. Sally Proctor - Ruth/Gordana.
Company Credits: Writer - Van Badham. Director - James Grieve. Production Manager - Ric Mountjoy. Designer - takis. Lighting Designer - Ric
Mountjoy. Sound Designer - Lee Wilson. Assistant Designer - Miriam Kingsley. Company Manager - Amy Holland. Dialect Coach - Srdjan Soric. Fight Director - Jason Riddington Smith. Photography - Martin Figura. Dramaturg - Chris Mead. Company - nabokov.
END
(c) Lea Harris 2004
reviewed Thursday 12 August 04 / Pleasance Cavern
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
www.fringereport.com
