IONA
IONA is based on the biblical story of the prophet and harbinger Jonah – he who flees from the task he has been given, and ends up in the darkness in the belly of Leviathan.
The performance examines the power struggle over the North's marine resources from an unusual perspective: deep in the ocean. Here, mythical narrative and contemporary political and scientific questions are connected, in a scenic space where escaping, remaining silent, or withdrawing appear as understandable – but insufficient – strategies.
IONA invites the audience into a shared space for reflection. It is a scenic essay where questions of responsibility, courage and scope for action are put into play without clear answers.
Premiere June 29, 2017 at the Northern Norway Festival
Text and direction: Håkon Mathias Vassvik On stage: Bernt Bjørn, Sulekha Ali Omar, Karl Flyman, Amund Sjølie Sveen, Tobias Leira Scenography and costumes: Anastasia Glukhova Dramaturg: Kristin Bjørn Sound design: Amund Sjølie Sveen Lighting design: Tobias Leira Producer: Annika Ostwald Supported by: Arts Council of Norway, Fund for Sound and Image, Fund for Performing Artists, National Theatre and the Festival of Northern Norway
RECEPTION
The performance was well received in the press.
"Iona is a playful and surprising performance with a clear reference to the Bible's story of the prophet Jonah." Anki Gerhardsen in Nordlys (dice roll 4):
"The theatre performance Iona walks between the words, pokes holes in the speeches and drags us under the sea, to tell us that it's all a lie. And everything is out of control." Rikke Gürgens Gjærum in Harstad Tidende (dice roll 5)
