Ragnarok Review: Ipswichspy.com 5 Stars

Eastern Angles are well known for their small-scale touring productions. Increasingly they have an enviable reputation for larger scale visually and aurally powerful productions at The Hush House, Bentwaters Park.

A couple of first night dialogue slips aside, Ragnarok is the best production I've seen in my few years watching Eastern Angles. Indeed any theatre company would be proud to have this in their portfolio.

Ragnarok doesn't lack for ambition. It aims to portray the world and myths of the Norse Gods covering the millennia of these never-ageing deities in just over two hours - their wars with the giants and their own neuroses. In doing so this new play by Charles Way uses a series of set-piece scenes that flow together and make a narrative journey despite the lengths between. When no-one gets old (at least initially) a 1,000 year span can just pass in an instant.

Despite the mythical backlog the power in this play comes from the age-old messages conveyed, as relevant today as then.

Baldr, the son of Odin - the supposed creator of the world, represents the conscience in all of us attempting to bridge the divide between the Giants and the gods and promote understanding rather than wars between races. The fate of the gods is tied up with Baldr's as actions (to heed or ignore Baldr) beget consequences.

Whilst Baldr represents conscience and understanding the other characters all represents different extremes of characterisation but importantly in a believable way. These are gods, they are distinctive, yet we can empathise with their actions. Their family struggles mirror the wider struggles of the gods and the giants.

These characters are brought to life with passion, warmth and some wit by this very strong cast. It's unfair to pick one actor out but Oliver Hoare (who the production team believe to be 27) really shone. Having said that his part, Loki, is part Shakespearean plotter and part Russell Brand (with charm). Loki represents the divide between the races and is a physical manifestation of the tension the other characters inhabit and feed off. This tension is superbly played by this young and charismatic actor.

Of course what better home could this play have than the Hush House? A physical representation of the Cold War and man's inability to communicate when it's easier to distrust and posture.

The Hush House is a large space Eastern Angles have used well. With amazing puppetry, a simple (but visually arresting set) and very strong sound Eastern Angles have what I believe will prove a hit. It does have a short run though - until 28th September. So if you can see it do so and be transported to a world where our ancestors god's battle with their fears and try to avoid Ragnarok - the end of the world.