Theatre Review: Through a Glass Darkly
A Mermaid’s Production
09/10/23-10/10/23
Directed by: Aidan Monks
Produced by: Naomi Gibb
Written by: Ingmar Bergman, adapted by Jenny Worton
Review by Lara Thain
Situated in the intimate atmosphere of the Barron Through a Glass Darkly starts, unlike many shows, with a cello performance. This unique beginning sets the tone for the rest of the show and its truly distinctive story. Based on the Swedish film of the same name from the 1960s, written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, Through a Glass Darkly follows a small family on vacation on an island. The story’s central focus is Karin (Fiona Lock) and the strain her mental health issues put on the relationships around her. Karin’s husband, Martin (Marcus Judd), helplessly tries to support Karin and her father, David (Oliver Windham-Hughes), has a detached compulsion to record her illness. Karin’s younger brother, Minus (Sacha Murray Threipland) tries unsuccessfully to connect to their father over their shared passion for writing during the vacation, but unfortunately connects with Karin instead in an incestuous relation during one of her psychotic episodes.
The Mermaid’s production of Through a Glass Darkly, directed by Aidan Monks, keeps you at the edge of your seat hoping that it can’t get worse for the characters, and then it does. A simple set design allows lighting and sound effects (Willa Meloth & Valerie Hernandez-Vallejo) to become more effective in emphasizing emotional highs and lows for the characters. Effects of haze happen throughout the show, which helps to contribute to the sense of the foreboding throughout. The cello’s song that starts the production is often repeated in snippets throughout the show during transitions, allowing for a sense of cohesion throughout the production. Fiona Lock gives an impressive performance during her episodes where she “communes with god”, with a projection of smoke behind her and audio of distorted voices to give the audience a chilling experience. The acting throughout the show allows the audience to build a real relationship with the characters, so when events unfold in the third act, they leave the viewer devastated and disturbed. The audience seems to nearly assume Davi’s role in the show- watching, with a morbid curiosity, Karin descending into madness from afar.
The intermission for the show is 45 minutes into the show and thus gives those in the know time to prepare mentally for what is to come and those who do not know the plot a sense of unease that things are about to turn quickly for the worse. Despite the second half of the show being longer than the first, it seems to fly by quickly as the audience watches with morbid fascination. It is in the final act of the show that truly highlights the strength of the actors. Despite the disturbing circumstances, you are not left blaming any of the individual characters but instead the cruel circumstances themselves.
Overall, Through a Glass Darkly is impressively acted and directed, handling difficult subjects in a humane manner, with impressive technical aspects that elevate the show, culminating in a night that causes the viewer to truly reflect. If you can catch the show, it is definitely a good way to spend your night!
