This cleverly constructed dystopian thriller-horror based on real-life heartbreaking situations is an interesting premise but feels slightly superficial in places.
Sonali Bhattacharyya’s tale about immigration and state racism has a feel of a horror about it – yet chillingly watching this you know there is a basis in reality in what it explores.
The story follows that of Riya and Nikita who are trying to navigate the ‘island’ (never specified as to where it is) and both desperate to call somewhere their home. Nikita works for a company that aims to help migrants to navigate home office tests, while Riya panicks about what her future holds on this ‘island’ – until she is given the opportunity to solve all of her problems in which she creates her very own ‘fawn’.
With the arrival of the fawn – a creature that could be described as a troll – an inner side to Riya, which learns human behaviour and accompanies her in her day to day life, trying to fix her problems and deal with her enemies. But ‘Jonathan’ (as he is named) is more complex than that, reflecting the darker side of all of our thoughts and what we would do to be accepted. It is dark and raises pertinent questions about our true thoughts towards immigration and compassion for those who are seeking a better life while fleeing conflict and not receiving any real support from any government.
Through her script, Sonali Bhattacharyya packs a powerful punch when it deals with the real issues at the centre of the story. I found the scenes involving Tahir, a character whose status on the island is increasingly uncertain, particularly affecting and grounded. Yet I found the scenes involving the fawn jarring- which doesn’t seem fair considering Dominic Holmes’s impressively physical performance that will certainly haunt any audience. These scenes to me felt over the top and a slight distraction from the issues at the heart of it all. The message of our inner monster being suppressed and putting ourselves first at whatever cost feels as though it overshadows what the story should be about: the migrants and what can be done to support them which feels even more pertinent.
This being said, in terms of structure it has been cleverly constructed and the sharpness in the way in which the scenes have been created keeps the audience enthralled completely. Milli Bhatia’s production is chilling, yet filled with emotion – the compassion that shines through in a variety of ways catches the audience in many ways off guard considering the chilling atmosphere that exists throughout thanks to Elliot Griggs’s forceful lighting design (particularly at the beginning and the end) and the effective movement and fight direction by Iskander Sharazuddin and Bret Yount that enhances the danger and uncertainty effectively.
The performances are incredibly focused and intense to witness. Zainab Hasan as Nikita is impressive, showcasing a variety of dramatic skills that highlights a diverse range of emotions that keep the audience engaged as the story unfolds. She is well matched with Safiyya Ingar’s more vulnerable Riya (who undergoes a somewhat surprising transformation by the end that doesn’t quite work) – their bickering seems suitably sibling like. The most intense performance comes from Dominic Holmes as The Fawn whose physicality is impressive throughout. Ayesha Dharker’s performances as the mysterious Shashi and the bold and unemotional Mrs B provide a beautiful contrast in characterisation.
This is an intense and moving piece of theatre, yet it feels slightly superficial through its use of the dystopian idea that distracts from its themes as a whole.
By Emma Clarendon
King Troll (The Fawn) continues to play at the New Diorama Theatre until the 2nd November.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐