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Review: King Troll (The Fawn), New Diorama Theatre

Two sisters, now in their twenties, are living on the island they arrived on as children. Or maybe instead of living, just about getting by. Nikita, played by Zainab Hasan, works with young migrants, whilst Riya, played by Safiyya Ingar, is unemployed and paperless, trying desperately to legitimise her existence on the island. Seeking help from Shashi (Ayesha Dharker) – someone else from their homeland, Riya is given the ingredients for her very own Fawn (Dominic Holmes): someone who will listen to her, support her and fight for her, whatever the cost.  Sonali Bhattacharyya’s sharp-written play is an excellent…

Summary

Rating

Excellent

Haunting and cinematic with piercing writing, King Troll (The Fawn) follows two sisters taking very different paths as they find their place in a country they moved to as young children.

Two sisters, now in their twenties, are living on the island they arrived on as children. Or maybe instead of living, just about getting by. Nikita, played by Zainab Hasan, works with young migrants, whilst Riya, played by Safiyya Ingar, is unemployed and paperless, trying desperately to legitimise her existence on the island. Seeking help from Shashi (Ayesha Dharker) – someone else from their homeland, Riya is given the ingredients for her very own Fawn (Dominic Holmes): someone who will listen to her, support her and fight for her, whatever the cost. 

Sonali Bhattacharyya’s sharp-written play is an excellent tapestry of genres. Combine horror with thriller with comedy with political commentary and you’re in the right ballpark. King Troll has some of the best of all of them, woven cleverly together. The comedy is a breath of fresh air from the intensity of the darker moments, particularly after a few moments that left me wanting to hide behind my hands – although I admit, I am a jumpy person.

The performances are great across the board. Hasan and Ingar nail sisterly chemistry, the way we snap with love at those we care for. Diyar Bozkurt as Tahir is initially optimistic, but portrays a very human rejection and oppression. Dharker as Shashi seemed to swing from funny to terrifying at the drop of a pin, and doubling up as landlady Mrs B is an all too familiar persona to many of us property renters. As the Fawn, Holmes is strong, threatening and seductive. There’s an excellent display of physicality also, as his Fawn learns to walk, talk and mimic humanity.

The creative team’s contributions make King Troll feel immersive and cinematic. The lighting by Elliot Griggs is dynamic and dramatic, providing effect in both what we can and cannot see. Music and sound by XANA is incredibly exciting, adding to and relieving tension, making the experience truly audiovisual. 

As the story unfolds there is an ethereal quality to a situation which is sadly familiar to some. As Riya fights for her legitimacy on the island in paperwork, it is reflected in Tahir who doesn’t have the help of a Fawn. Tahir’s very real struggle feels hopeless and unfair, whereas moments outside of reality with dance, music and poetry from disembodied voices help bathe Riya’s parallel situation in mysticism. With Riya seduced by the Fawn’s double-edged support, helping and hurting at the same time, Bhattacharyya has nailed this situation with bitter nuance.


Written by: Sonali Bhattacharyya
Directed by: Milli Bhatia
Design by: Rajha Shakiry
Lighting Design by: Elliot Griggs
Composing and Sound Design by: XANA

King Troll (The Fawn) runs at New Diorama Theatre until Saturday 2nd November. Further information and booking details are available here.

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