I Am An Island At Here For Now Theatre
I Am An Island by Julia Lederer, now receiving its world premiere at Here For Now Theatre, is described as a “surrealistic drama (with some very funny bits).”
Okay, fair enough. I guess that absolves me of any obligation to try to explain it, because quite frankly I found it pretty incomprehensible.
May (Siobhan O’Malley) and her twin sister Sandra (Kelly Van der Berg) live on an island along with Ben (Nick Dolan), who apparently became betrothed to May when they were both eleven.
It’s a seemingly idyllic life save for the fact that the island is sinking. May is worried sick, but Ben and Sandra are cheerful as the day is long, despite the fact that they seem to spend most of their days baling water.
The cast is rounded out by the ghost of Grandma (Barbara Gordon), who sits just off stage in the audience sipping martinis and haunting May, and bright and chipper April (Brianna Rodrigues), who has come from away to celebrate her babymoon on the island. Oh yes, and there’s an unseen ostrich, for which Ben is constantly on the lookout.
May decides to start a protest, hoping to convince everyone to leave the island before it’s too late. To dramatize the island’s plight, she puts herself in a hole (cunningly suggested by set designer Ariel Slack). As the play plods on she sinks lower and lower. Shades of Samuel Beckett!
So what’s it all about, Alfie? The climate crisis? The blight man was born for? Don’t live on an island? Your guess is as good as mine.
If the play is a bit of a mystery, the solid production it is getting under the direction of Allison Plamondon is not. It is in every respect up to Here For Now’s high standards and playwright Lederer has been well-served.
The cast is uniformly excellent and I admired the commitment with which they have thrown themselves into their often bewildering parts. The standout is O’Malley. May must carry the show and O’Malley rises to the occasion as she sinks ever deeper into her slough of despond.
I Am An Island continues at Here For Now Theatre through June 7, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Here For Now website.
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