“We leave the theatre with the image of the lonely and tragicomical individual that is Laurence printed on our chests.”
Griðastaður
By Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson
Premiered in Tjarnarbíó, Reykjavik, October 2018
English translation premiered at New Nordics Festival 2021 in London
Danish translation read at Pink Pavillon 2021 festival for international drama, Teater Grob, Copenhagen
Danish production by Teatergruppen En Gang Til premiered February 2025, Denmark
Griðastaður (Refuge) is an Icelandic monoplay about mortality, mass produced furniture, repressed emotions, mothers, Swedish vegetable-balls, ex-girlfriends, cute turtles, loneliness, nifty shelves, Nockeby-couches, life, sorrow and more. The play was a critical success in Iceland and received three nominations at the 2019 Icelandic Theatre and Performance Awards, winning the author ‘newcomer of the year’.
Everybody Dies Theatre is an Iceland based theatre group founded around the first production of Refuge, seeking ways to explore repression, western angst, and the dilemma of realizing one’s mortality through the theatrical process.
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The play was originally staged in Smiðjan Student Theatre amongst other 2018 graduation pieces from the Iceland University of the Arts. The subsequent winter it moved to Tjarnarbíó Theatre, home of the independent theatre and performance scene in Reykjavik. It was nominated for lead actor of the year and play of the year at Gríman, the Icelandic Theatre and Performance Art Awards, as well as winning the author ‘newcomer of the year’.
A translated version premiered at Cut the Cord's New Nordics Festival 2021 at Jackson Lane theatre in London.
Author & director:
Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson
Lead role as ‘Laurence’:
Jörundur Ragnarsson
Music and soundscape:
Ingibjörg Ýr Skarphéðinsdóttir
Dramaturgical advice:
Jökull Smári Jakobsson & Eydís Rose Vilmundardóttir
Lighting design:
Hafliði Emil Barðason & Egill Ingibergsson
Set design:
Everybody Dies Theatre
As well as a host of volunteers appearing as an ‘IKEA choir’ in the last scene and many others who deserve many thanks for their support.
Credits for the London production:
Author:
Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson
Director:
Jack Nurse
Lead role as ‘Laurence’:
Martin Donaghy
Designer:
Cara Evans
English translation by:
Philip Roughton
Production and festival curation:
New Nordics Festival