The play-within-a-play comes across as especially powerful, blurring rehearsal and reality of the Nazi takeover of Norway until the stage is overtaken by the very war it tries to process. The writing is spare and not melodramatic, allowing the final image of handing the rifle to the son to land with devastating clarity. A compact, deeply felt meditation on the necessity of doing art in the face of catastrophe.

Syran packs so much into this short historical play. By blending a meta theatrical world with some documentary of the Nazi invasion of Norway, we get a history lesson and a story about the courage of the Norwegian people and, specifically, about the courage of a theatre coat check girl. There’s also the courage of the theatre cast and crew who take the stage in spite of danger and, most striking, the courage of a mother to make a decision that goes against every fiber of her being. Terrific.

This riveting and well-imagined play captures a horrific moment in history and movingly suggests a difficult and serious response. The call to sacrifice is hard to answer. The play within the play resonates powerfully and, in the way of great art, mirrors life while suggesting larger possibilities. Syran's masterful world building and depth of characterization give this play its strength and resonance.