The historian and TV celebrity Allis Hagtorn escapes from an embarrassing love scandal with subsequent public laundry, and ends up in a psychological thriller in a desolated area in the Western part of Norway. In an attempt to cleanse herself of shame and start a new life, she seeks a job as a maid in the home of a man who lives for himself in an old house far away from civilization. But her wish for a simple, pure life in harmony with nature turns out to be much more complicated than she presumed, and she becomes entangled in a dangerous drama.
The Bird Tribunal is a captivating, existential test of strength for a theater stage. Marie Blokhus is brave and perfect as Allis, Niklas Gundersen is a quiet version of a man, athletic and dark. They play, chisel, fight and undress in a very complex and finally pitch-black story, which in the middle between humorous vanity and terrible curses still recreates something deeply recognizable which – in fact – is entertaining. This is quite a clear “must-see” for all theater enthusiasts; inventive and meaningful “Nordic noir” – not on film, but on the stage.
VG, about the play at Det norske Teateret in 2015
