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SummerWorks 2012: Iceland

Worlds collide in Nicolas Billon’s compelling three-hander

By Victoria Bégin • August 12, 2012

Written by Nicolas Billon
Directed by Ravi Jain

Claire Calnan in Iceland. Photo by Dwayne Fundano.

The set is simple—three chairs on an empty stage. A young Russian woman named Kassandra begins to tell her story, tales that book-end the rest of the production. This is Iceland, a non-linear collection of three points of view told in individual soliloquies, now playing as part of the 2012 SummerWorks Theatre Festival.

Kassandra (Christine Horne) has not had an easy start as a Master’s student in Toronto. Her mother and father were part of the Baltic Chain of 1989, which was part of the quest for independence of three Baltic countries. Kassandra and her twin brother were born—she describes them as holding hands—in the midst of the Baltic Chain, which created an unbreakable bond between them for the rest of their lives. Therefore, when Kassandra’s brother becomes addicted to gambling and must flee Canada with his mother, Kassandra stays behind and finds a job as an escort, the only job that will allow her to send money to her family each month. It is at this point in the story that Kassandra makes her exit and the audience meets Halim (Kawa Ada), Kassandra’s boss.

Halim is a smooth-talking, vulgar “businessman” who shocks the audience with his raw tales of money, sex, and capitalism. He flips houses, and talks about one experience in particular, when a young, “stupid” woman came to see a one-bedroom condo. After investigating every inch of the place for 35 minutes, she ultimately told him she could not afford it. As he recounts this tale, Halim gives a loud, mean laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. It is clear that the audience does not appreciate his lewd humour, and he makes his exit just as another woman comes and sits where he was sitting previously.

Anna (Claire Calnan) is a deeply religious person who speaks softly about the experiences in her life that have shaped her overall personality and behaviour. She tells a story of how she was evicted from her apartment, and how her discovery of it online later that month led her to go back and try to buy it again. The audience quickly realizes how Anna is connected to Halim, and her point of view of the situation leaves the audience in hysterics, as they have just heard Halim’s version.

In the final few moments of the production, almost everything comes full circle. However, as Iceland is a non-linear story, there are several loose ends that are never tied up, leaving the viewer somewhat confused. That being said, the performances are very strong under director Ravi Jain. Iceland will keep you on the edge of your seat, as well as surprise you. Memorable moments include Anna taking a bite from a bar of soap she pulls from her purse after using a vulgar word, as well as Halim’s outrageous tales of money and women.

Iceland runs until August 19 at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Visit SummerWorks.ca for more information and to buy tickets.

Show Dates:

Sun, 2012-08-12 - Sun, 2012-08-19

Our rating: