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A rom-com about young love turns into something far more devastatingSummary
Rating
Excellent
Coming to the Park Theatre after a successful run at the Old Red Lion and a UK tour, Philippa Lawford’s Ikaria starts off as a rom-com. Simon (James Wilbraham) and Mia (Andrea Gatchalian) meet at a college party. He is in his third year but has recently taken a break – he claims due to glandular fever – but now he just seems to be drifting aimlessly. Simon talks a lot about his studying and the need to do the studying, but never seems to do any. Mia has just started university; she is interested in writing and journalism and has applied to join the college newspaper. She has an enthusiasm for all that college has to offer her that is in contrast with Simon.
Mia goes back to Simon’s room to collect some Domino’s pizza vouchers, but he appears oblivious to her obvious interest and genuinely thinks she has come back just for the vouchers. There are a lot of laughs in their early back and forth, their different backgrounds, disparity in wealth, and Mia’s attempts to connect through Simon’s seeming obliviousness. It soon becomes clear that Simon is disengaged and uninterested in absolutely everything. He takes very little action and we realise that he barely even leaves his room. He wasn’t just playing with, or flirting badly with Mia; his passivity is rooted in depression or mental illness and has left him slowly withdrawing from everything.
Mia, however, persists and Ikaria follows their relationship over several months as she does so. As Simon’s disengagement increases, she does everything she can to help. But sometimes you just cannot find salvation in someone else, and love is not all that you need. A poignant and devastating truth is played out vividly, achingly in front of us.
The play never leaves Simon’s dorm room, where Mia comes to see him, but he never goes out to see her. The space feels small and intimate within Park90 and Lawford directs from her own script, bringing an air of claustrophobia that at times leaves us feeling trapped in the same room that Simon so rarely leaves.
Wilbraham is exceptional, finding a fine balance that shows us why Mia could fall for Simon. He makes him charismatic and loveable, but also shows the hidden depths – the anguish and pain – that is always carried. He plays Simon with restraint throughout, less being more. Small and casual movement brings out so much extra, as in an extended sequence where he shaves with deliberation and care but then reveals a moment of self-harm. His withdrawing from Mia and from life is painful to watch. Gatchalian is just as convincing as Mia, but the story is really Simon’s and Wilbraham excels.
Ikaria puts a lot of trust into its audience, letting us follow along as Simon falls deeper and deeper into depression, Lawford’s script never spoon-feeds us. It feels real and raw and honest. It feels like a gut punch. Both Lawford and Wilbraham are names to watch out for in the future, so see this now while you have a chance.
Written and directed by Philippa Lawford
Produced by Tightrope Theatre in association with Park Theatre
Ikaria plays at Park Theatre until 2 December. Further information and tickets can be found here.
