REVIEW: THE ICE AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Katy Schutte at Omnibus Theatre 24 Sept - 12 Oct

“You have to give something to get something.”★★★★

Three artists travel to the Artic Circle by ship in search of inspiration, led by their guide Laura, who has her own ulterior motives for taking them there. The play centres around Alys, who is there against her will. She's a poetry translator sent by her publisher to experience the Artic first-hand to better understand the material of a new project. Initially resentful at being cooped up in claustrophobic proximity to her shipmates, combatting sea sickness and cut off from civilization, as Alys starts to embrace the journey and her own writing talents are unleashed, sinister events begin to unfold, drawing her into a nightmare of ancient sea entities and the brutality of nature.

"The Ice at the End of the World" is an absorbing, funny and suspenseful romp, full of narrative elements akin to HP Lovecraft, but with a modern twist. It explores themes of seeking, superstition, nature and universal balance. It also manages to pull off a rare feat - that of educating the audience about humanities imprint on the environment without it feeling like a lecture, instead, it is woven adeptly into the dialogue, and engages and raises questions.

The cast offer excellent performances. The relentlessly cheerfully Wonder, who is prone to sing at you every chance she gets, is played astutely by Katy Schutte, who manages to make what could have been a grating character immensely likable and endearing. The mysterious guide, Laura, is played with an unnerving intensity by Judith Amsenga, that is both compelling and scary, and Alys, played with biting prowess by Eleanor Dillon-Reams, is the everyman, who, placed in impossible circumstances, is left spiralling as to what to do for the best.

The atmospheric lighting and sound design are superb and serve to heighten the suspense and ratchet up the tension. An impressive and ambitions production that delivers on all fronts.

Photo credit Sadhbh McLoughlin

Box Office: https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/the-ice-at-the-end-of-the-world/

Reviewer Annie Power is the Artistic Director of Open Page Productions, and an award-winning writer and producer.