Review: PTC’s ‘Oslo’ retells epic story in small moments

L-R: Kate Middleton (Mona Juul) and Jeff Talbott (Terje Rød-Larsen) appear in Pioneer Theatre Company's "Oslo." Photos courtesy: Pioneer Theatre Company

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 22, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — J.T. Rogers’ “Oslo,” the season-opening show at Pioneer Theatre Company, tells the epic story of age-old enemies brought together in a foolhardy attempt for peace negotiations organized by a totally unqualified professor and his diplomat wife in the small nation of Norway.

It would seem like a ridiculous plot if it hadn’t actually happened in 1993 when Norwegian sociology professor Terje Rød-Larsen and his wife, diplomat Mona Juul, managed to bring together sworn enemies for the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation.

“Oslo,” directed by Karen Azenberg and playing through Sept. 29, recreates the dramatic personality clashes, the painstaking negotiations, the small personal victories that reportedly forged the way for the history-changing agreement between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Rød-Larsen (played by Jeff Talbot) has built his academic career on the theory that personal friendships can help enemies make peace. Juul (played by Kate Middleton) has a career that has given her the connections to test her husband’s theory on the largest possible scale.

But to keep a secret from major world leaders including America? It would seem unfathomable if it hadn’t happened in real life.

The players seem lost on Pioneer Theatre’s relatively large stage and purposely basic set. The main room, which plays several locations, has neutral colors, high ceilings and simple, elegant woodwork. The set, by designer Daniel Meeker, seems very large for the players involved, but that’s only fitting for relatively low-level officials who are attempting to wrangle an issue so much larger than themselves.

And scattered amidst the big issues and tense encounters are moments of gentle humor in the rich dialogue between husbands and wives, employees and bosses, and enemies who find themselves thrust together.

It’s not a light or easy play. It’s a well-paced drama for thinkers and people who appreciate a glimpse at the big picture, and epic issues brought down to a human level.

Middleton is so good you will forget she is an actress playing a role. Talbot is endearing as  the charming and somewhat wreckless Rød-Larsen, who has more ego invested in the results than he would like to admit. All the actors are strong in their roles, although very few times, accents make dialogue a bit hard to understand.

“Oslo” was a bold choice for PTC, and tells an important story. This may be your only chance to see this show in this market, so if you are interested, don’t let this chance pass you by. For ticket information, call 801-581-6961 or click here.

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