“The Bøyg”

Septenber 26, 2021 — In their first indoor theatre performance since the beginning of the pandemic nearly two years ago, theatre KAPOW presented the premiere of “The Bøyg” by A. J. Ditty at the Stockbridge Theatre in Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire. It was good to be back in a theater again, but measures were required to safeguard against the still-active virus. Masks were required to be worn throughout the performance, and we all had to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result. There was no social distancing. In fact, we were fairly jammed together in the small seating area in close proximity to the stage. The actors did not wear masks.

In this complicated, philosophical play, not without its moments of humor, six prisoners of the Nazis in World War II Norway are portrayed by Lisa Boyett, Molly Kane Parker, Rachael Chapin Longo, Carey Cahoon, Rebecca Tucker and Sabrina Schlegel-Mejia. Nicholas Wilder and Peter Josephson appeared as sadistic Nazi officers.

The prisoners decide to rehearse and stage a performance of “Peer Gynt” by Henrik Ibsen to brighten their oppressive confinement as Christmas approaches. The bøyg is a monster in Norse legend that appears in Ibsen’s play. Artistic director Matt Cahoon’s able direction and superb performances by the entire cast held the audience’s rapt attention for almost two hours without intermission. It was definitely two hours well-spent.