Mother Soil, which is written by Monika Matosevic, Ronja Ritter and Leon Bach, and directed by Line Guid Hedegaard is an unsettling play that challenges human relationships in the face of power and wealth.
Two sisters, Emma and Robin Sandmoon, are at the brink of change and separation when Emma is selected to attend Art school and leave home. Emma's best friend and neighbour Casper Maplewood is a supportive person in both sisters' lives, and slowly develops a romantic relationship with Robin. With this new dynamic affecting their friendship, and the sisters' mother's health rapidly declining, the trio are thrown into emotional and physical turmoil as they try to stay above the water. However, when their mother's will comes to light after her death, the sisters are poised against one another, with Casper stuck in the middle.
The core premise is intriguing with tremendous potential to create a strong and thought-provoking play, yet it feels messy and half baked in this production. The play jumps over several of the most important moments, choosing to "tell" and not "show" these events, which alienates the audience. However, the study into human psychology and morality is fascinating and makes for an exciting watch nevertheless.
The dialogue feels clunky in places, merely jumping between between key points rather than flowing naturally. Interactions between characters come across as forced, and despite passionate performances from the three actors, they aren't quite believable. Whilst there are a few memorable quotes scattered about, the dialogue mostly feels flat and doesn't quite convey the depth of character emotions. The play places great importance on the slow shifts in the relationship between Emma and Robin, yet the dialogue lacks the subtly that would have enhanced this.
The three performers, Monika Matosevic, Ronja Ritter and Leon Bach, all give passionate performances. Matosevic as Emma brings emotional conflict to the foreground, in a touching moment where she grieves for her late mother and allows her guilt to get the better of her. Ritter as Robin is a carefree spirit, who helps anchor the play with an energetic performance. Bach as Casper is the show's standout performer, demonstrating the character's crumbling confidence and easily influenced nature. Casper struggles to handle the two clashing forces of Emma and Robin and sways between supporting each, leading to a interesting dilemma.
The set has been decorated to resemble the sisters' home, which plays a large part in the play as they bicker over who will claim ownership of their house. The warmth glow and cosy set becomes tarnished, colder and more empty in the second act, a wonderful visual metaphor for the sisters's declining relationship.
Mother Soil is a valiant attempt to deep dive into the intricacies of human nature and familial bond, yet unfortunately it falls short. Mother Soil will return to the stage at Voila! Festival this November.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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