Oslo: Let them eat waffles!

Fun Facts: Playwright J.T. Rogers was lucky enough to meet Israeli politician Shimon Peres who played a key role in the Oslo Accord negotiations. As the paper was signed on the White House Lawn in 1993 Peres expressed that the document was "a revolution, yesterday a dream, today a commitment". He had hoped that one day Israel would be a multi-racial and multi-ethnic region, a leader in education, prosperity and justice in the Middle East. He was scheduled to see the production but sadly past away late last year.

Target Audience: Considering we haven't learnt from our mistakes and politics has become far more business orientated than humane, we should be exposed to story-telling of this nature, not to depress us but to offer hope and remind us that our voices matter.

Best Bit: Michael Aronov plays Uri Savir and I was transfixed by his performance. He appears in the second act and transforms the entire energy of the play.

Morning After Effect: We need to strive for peace and respect every day in order for it to push past the boundaries of our homes, communities and countries.

Verdict: This is theatre at its best with a narrative that is truly gripping and frightening. We often forget some of the scariest stories are based on truth.

The world feels like it has fallen apart, again. As we filter through one terrifying story after the next, one has to ask what is going on? It appears as if we have all gone mad and turned on one another. There is a tremendous amount of mistrust and fear catapulting around the globe and one wonders when, or rather how, does the chaos come to an end?

J.T. Rogers' play Oslo, reminds us that the word politics is thrown around so loosely that we forget people are involved - much the same as it is with the word war, where lives are on the line. It is peace or war, life or death. To go on and prosper or bath in the blood that reaches across the seas. Either way a choice has to be made and that involves men and women sitting around a table and communicating. Well, that's how we imagine politics to work but it is rarely the case that enemies can put their differences aside and aspire towards a progressive future. Oslo, inspired by the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords between the Israelis and Palestinians, proves that politics is essentially "by the people for the people" but to comprehend that it may all boil down to just four ego-driven men deciding the fate of millions brings a chilling realization.

Rogers' has captured a world we can only imagine, an inaccessible world where these bravado politicians who have called for each other's blood can drop their disguises and communicate - not as rivals but as sons and fathers looking ahead to a brighter future for their children. A remarkable true story that was put in motion by the diplomatic couple Mona Juul (played by Jennifer Ehle) and Terje Rod-Larsen (Jefferson Mays) who orchestrate the secret meetings in a warm, trusting atmosphere for these men outside the Middle East because they believed peace was possible and that the lives being lost deserved a fighting chance - a fight that involved words and understanding not guns and bloodshed. Ehle and Mays are both proficient actors and navigate their way through the dense material and political jargon effortlessly and with a centered calm, often providing a much-needed resting point from the anger-fueled discussions taking place around them.

The opposing men involved risked their lives to establish this realized peace, they were courageous and found the humanity these negotiations had previously lacked. In Rogers' version of the story they enjoyed many nights of heartfelt Norwegian hospitality fueled by good food, wine and waffles! Rogers' has certainly done his research and the news images projected on the screen are a constant reminder that this play is based on real adversity and terror.

The character who best portrays this unpredictable tension is Uri Savir played by the talented Michael Aronov. His performance resembles a young bull moving across the stage with his head held high, shoulders broad and lead by the crotch. His movements are impulsive and we feel the power running through his veins, a power that arouses him and lures the audience into his every word, unsure what to expect next from this political showman. Even his smile is alarming, this man is ruthless but Aronov has created a softness, a playfulness that makes him likeable from the start and the transformation we witness is fascinating. Aronov has traversed a flirtatious journey from the relentless ostentatious man to a tender father seeking refuge for his family, his people and his enemies. Despite appearing for just one act amidst a powerful cast, Aronov's name is very likely to appear as a Tony nominee and it would be greatly deserved! His commitment to this character is evident and while he sends chills down your spin he also ignites a certain giddiness of hope that change is possible, even for the raging bull.

This is an astounding story about human courage and finding the ability to truly see someone, to see past their nationality, their religion and gender, to see the people - the lives - involved and only then do we find the power. Rogers' has made this topic accessible and presented it on a neutral playing field allowing us to see the story from both sides - a luxury we have taken for granted in this day and age with manipulative media.

While Marie Antoinette is known for saying "let them eat cake", it was Norwegian waffles that made these men hungry for change and we can only hope that the people in power will find the same appetite for peace. Oslo, may not be an easy play to sit through but we need to face these truths, feel the pain and only then can we hope for a fair and informed change.

Reviewed by Nicola Quinn

April 12th 2017
Vivian Beaumont Theater, New York City
Find me on Twitter: @newyorktheatre

View our show pages for more information about Oslo, Vivian Beaumont Theater.