Little Eyolf

Henrik Ibsen wrote plays which throw relationships into stark relief by applying a blowtorch of intensity to family circumstances. Little Eyolf explores how change impacts difficult parenting, marriage and brother-sister relationships by pulling them apart and giving very articulate voice to the nuances of desire, guilt and pain revealed.

The play centres on the relationship between Rita (Elisa Armstrong), Alfred (Damien Harrison) and their permanently injured child, Little Eylof (Zac Steedman). Alfred’s relationship with his sister, Asta (Liliana Dalton) amplifies the difficulties in their marriage. Borgheim (Alexander Tomisich) adds normality and offers possibilities for Asta. The play tips towards the tragic after a visit of the Rat Wife (Ioanna Gagani), who is a symbolic ‘Pied Piper’ for rats and unwanted creatures.

Robert Johnson has chosen a mannered, straightforward style and allowed the text to do the heavy lifting. All the actors were very competent and brought their characters’ intensity and obsessions to life, although somewhat unevenly. Zac Steedman struggled with the physical demands of using a walking stick to be his crutch and suffered, as did all the actors, from some awkward placements on stage.

A blow-up children’s swimming pool was effectively used, but it sat uncomfortably with the rest of mise-en-scene. Costuming and lighting design was well chosen, unobtrusive and supported the actors.

This is a challenging play, and this version embraced the issues and gave them a strong, compelling voice.

Ruth Richter