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\tReview: Ikaria, Park Theatre<\/span><\/span> Coming to the Park Theatre after a profitable run on the Old Red Lion and a UK tour, Philippa Lawford\u2019s Ikaria begins off as a rom-com. Simon (James Wilbraham) and Mia (Andrea Gatchalian) meet at a school celebration. He is in his third 12 months however has just lately taken a break \u2013 he claims as a consequence of glandular fever \u2013 however now he simply appears to be drifting aimlessly. Simon talks loads about his finding out and the necessity to do the finding out, however by no means appears to do any. Mia has simply began college; she is curious about writing and journalism…<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> A rom-com about younger love turns into one thing way more devastating<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t<\/strong><\/p>\n Coming to the Park Theatre<\/strong> after a profitable run on the Old Red Lion and a UK tour, Philippa Lawford<\/strong>\u2019s Ikaria<\/em><\/strong> begins off as a rom-com. Simon (James Wilbraham<\/strong>) and Mia (Andrea Gatchalian<\/strong>) meet at a school celebration. He is in his third 12 months however has just lately taken a break \u2013 he claims as a consequence of glandular fever \u2013 however now he simply appears to be drifting aimlessly. Simon talks loads about his finding out and the necessity to do the finding out, however by no means appears to do any. Mia has simply began college; she is curious about writing and journalism and has utilized to hitch the faculty newspaper. She has an enthusiasm for all that school has to supply her that’s in distinction with Simon.<\/p>\n Mia goes again to Simon\u2019s room to gather some Domino\u2019s pizza vouchers, however he seems oblivious to her apparent curiosity and genuinely thinks she has come again only for the vouchers. There are a number of laughs of their early backwards and forwards, their totally different backgrounds, disparity in wealth, and Mia\u2019s makes an attempt to attach by way of Simon\u2019s seeming obliviousness. It quickly turns into clear that Simon is disengaged and tired of completely all the things. He takes little or no motion and we realise that he barely even leaves his room. He wasn\u2019t simply taking part in with, or flirting badly with Mia; his passivity is rooted in despair or psychological sickness and has left him slowly withdrawing from all the things.<\/p>\n Mia, nonetheless, persists and Ikaria<\/em> follows their relationship over a number of months as she does so. As Simon\u2019s disengagement will increase, she does all the things she will to assist. But generally you simply can not discover salvation in another person, and love is just not all that you simply want. A poignant and devastating reality is performed out vividly, achingly in entrance of us.<\/p>\n The play by no means leaves Simon\u2019s dorm room, the place Mia involves see him, however he by no means goes out to see her. The house feels small and intimate inside Park90 and Lawford directs from her personal script, bringing an air of claustrophobia that at instances leaves us feeling trapped in the identical room that Simon so hardly ever leaves.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wilbraham is outstanding, discovering a high-quality steadiness that exhibits us why Mia might fall for Simon. He makes him charismatic and loveable, but in addition exhibits the hidden depths \u2013 the anguish and ache \u2013 that’s all the time carried. He performs Simon with restraint all through, much less being extra. Small and informal motion brings out a lot further, as in an prolonged sequence the place he shaves with deliberation and care however then reveals a second of self-harm. His withdrawing from Mia and from life is painful to look at. Gatchalian is simply as convincing as Mia, however the story is admittedly Simon\u2019s and Wilbraham excels.<\/p>\n Ikaria<\/em> places a number of belief into its viewers, letting us comply with alongside as Simon falls deeper and deeper into despair, Lawford\u2019s script by no means spoon-feeds us. It feels actual and uncooked and sincere. It looks like a intestine punch. Both Lawford and Wilbraham are names to be careful for sooner or later, so see this now when you have an opportunity.<\/p>\n Written and directed by Philippa Lawford Ikaria<\/em> performs at Park Theatre till 2 December. Further data and tickets will be discovered right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t80<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nExcellent<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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Produced by Tightrope Theatre in affiliation with Park Theatre<\/p>\n