Based on a novel by Norwegian Ingvar Ambjørnsen, Elling (played by Darren Gilshenan) is a reserved middle-aged man crippled with various neuroses who has been sheltered from the outside world for most of his life by his mother. When his mother dies, Elling is paired with a sex-obsessed “orangutan” of a man, Kjell Bjarne (Hayden Spencer), in an institution. The unlikely duo form a strong bond that is tested when they are forced by the government out into the real world to share an apartment and take up 'normal' lives. Elling is imminently enjoyable. Visual comedy rules from the moment the lights come up on Spencer's tireless worker's crack, and there are plenty of laughs throughout the play born out of Gilshenan's excellent timing and delivery. There was, however, no real sense of climax to the piece – the threat of being sent back to the institution didn't seem to overly bother the odd couple, neither did the emotional danger of them being pulled apart ever really hit home. In addition, a plot strand involving a famous stalled poet never quite delivered on its theatrical promise. Still, without a strong dramatic plot, Elling mostly worked due to endearing performances, Christina Smith's wonderfully versatile set design and some refreshing music choices by David Franzke including a riotous episode to the strains of Husker Du. Pamela Rabe's direction was at times lyrical, incorporating dance into one of Elling's adventures, but at two-and-a-half hours it was about 30 minutes too long. That said, it's very rare we get the opportunity to glimpse into Norwegian society on stage so if you're looking for a true cultural exchange, then Elling is for you.
Running at MTC until Saturday 8 December
