Sydney Reviews

Socratis Otto and Leeanna Walsman. Photos - Brett Boardman

We’ve all been there. Trapped in a potentially destructive relationship that is going nowhere. We stay because we can’t be bothered leaving, convincing ourselves that the good out-weighs the bad. Welcome to Stockholm.

The title of the play refers to Todd’s (Socratis Otto) and Kali’s (Leeanna Walsman) holiday destination in a few days time. First they must survive Todd’s birthday meal, which he is cooking himself. The title also refers to Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological condition where hostages feel sympathy for hostage takers. The syndrome also manifests itself when victims of domestic violence refuse to press charges out of love for their partner.

The implication here is that Todd is trapped in a relationship with the increasingly paranoid Kali. Kali suffers constant “retro jealousy” over Todd’s past lovers and searches his mobile phone for the numbers of strange women. The cycle of their relationship is so routine, that they often speak about themselves in third person, as if just going through the motions.

The last twenty minutes of the play powerfully conveys the cyclic nature of the relationship. Kali’s sense of remorse after physical violence is palpable. Before long they are sharing a bed together in bliss and shutting out the rest of the world. This is despite the fact that we can see that Kali’s destructive behaviour is never far away.

Stockholm is a collaboration between the Sydney Theatre Company and Frantic Assembly, an English theatre company which has earned a reputation for thrilling physical theatre since its creation in 1994. Director/choreographers Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett came out to restage this production of Stockholm with the two Australian actors. Stockholm won the 2008 Wolff Whiting awards for playwrights and was nominated for Best Touring Production at the Theatre Management Association’s awards in the same year.

Despite its reputation, I found much of Stockholm lacking in imagination and adventure. The script goes for cheap laughs through rapidly repeating the “F” word or calling one’s Mother-in-law a c...

There are also a number of physical theatre pieces and unfortunately none of the choreography is particularly new or interesting. They hold each other in their arms and dance about the kitchen. They throw apples back and forth before climbing onto the benches. Nevertheless, Socratis Otto and Leeanna Walsman should be commended for their attempts to juggle physical theatre in a dialogue heavy play.

The set design by Laura Hopkins is ambitious at times. We rotate between a stair case and the kitchen. The most striking image is a black table structure filled with water with a laptop floating on top.

This play is much like Todd and Kali’s relationship. There are a few good moments but ultimately you wonder if it is worth sticking with.


Sydney Theatre Company in association with Frantic Assembly presents
Stockholm
by Bryony Lavery

Directors and Choreographers Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett

Venue: Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
Dates: 12 March – 24 April 2010. Opens Wednesday 17 March at 8pm.
Tickets: $30 to $75 (transaction fees may apply)
Boookings: 9250 1777 | www.sydneytheatre.com.au