The Economist @ C Nova

MKA’s The Economist is an incredibly brave piece of new writing. The first piece of theatre in response to Anders Breivik’s massacre on Utøya Island, MKA’s production has taken an unconventional approach to the tragedy. Their performance delves into the history of Andrew Berwick, a character based on Breivik portraying experiences inspired by his own personal diaries and 1500 page manifesto.  

Combining haunting music, a disregard for gender in the casting and prefaces to each scene, The Economist is almost Brechtian in style, or at least heavily influenced. The cast are fantastic, switching characters, styles of performance and changing the mood in seconds without any fumbling or confusion: the material itself is both sensitive and honest while showing both sides of the tragedy. From the children in the labour camp to Breivik’s foreboding dreams and psychological imbalance, nothing is ignored. 

It’s a political play with and intent to Make You Think that easily fulfills this task, even if you’re not quite sure what you think or how you feel as you leave. Haunting, captivating, thought-provoking, this is a play that refuses to accept anything but the truth, cold and difficult as it may be. Not to be missed, not to be forgotten.