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An Average Family | Old Red Lion Theatre

An Average Family, which is written and performed by Vilde Bjorkedal and directed by Zofia Zerphy, is an interactive play about Ella and her rather unusual upbringing. The play follows Ella from age 9 through until 23, and how her relationship with her parents and subsequent boyfriend, Allan, changes. Woven together through diary entries that are read out by audience members, the play touches upon the themes of domestic abuse through the naïve eyes of a child, and the effect it has on Ella throughout her life.


Audiences are first welcomed into “the living room” by Bjorkedal, in character as Ella, and are invited to sit on a sofa, dining table or the theatre’s fixed benches, and are given colouring sheets and plain paper to entertain themselves with. Audiences can opt not to engage and enjoy the show from a more passive stance. Bjorkedal then makes conversations with willing audience members, and hands out 17 mini diaries, with clear instructions on when they will be needed.



Whilst Bjorkedal is the sole performer of this piece, she does invite certain audience members on stage as stand-ins for certain characters and prompts their lines. There are a few opportunities for improvisation from the audience members, that Bjorkedal handles with ease, creating for a few additional moments of humour. These moments of audience interaction both enhance, and hold back the show, however. Whilst the participating audience members are given chances to either embody Ella, or be a part of her world; this also distracts from the play at points as the audience members focus more on their performances than the script at hand. Admirable and innovative as it is, especially for such a tough subject, there are a few scenes where the full emotional blow is lessened by these additional performers, as enjoyable as it is.


Bjorkedal chooses to confront the issue of domestic abuse, never shying away from the horrific reality and lasting impact it can have on each individual family member. Although initially censored by the lack of actors in the roles of her parents, and a young Ella’s understanding of the reality of what is occurring, audience members are able to very quickly piece this together. Bjorkedal drops heavy hints in passing, and yet these each leave an impact, especially when accompanied by a rather intense and confrontational young Ella at school. Her frustrations and suspicions with her peers, particularly Sarah, stem from the learnt behaviour from home, and this is glaring evident as audiences witness Ella’s emotional outbursts. A moment of violence resulting in a ripped Barbie Doll, helps really drive this ripple effect, and places a metaphorical ticking time bomb on the piece.



The play deviates from this central theme as Ella, now 18, leaves for university, yet the repercussions of growing up in a turbulent and strained household follows her. Whilst Ella, ultimately forges a new path for herself, and finds love, stability and clarity; the anxiety that drowns her happiness as she visits home is heart-breaking to watch. The truth about Ella’s abusive father is particularly intriguing for audiences to process as an unsuspecting audience member is then cast in this role and is brought on stage to perform in a rather sweet and wholesome moment in the show. Ella’s relationship with her father exists on two very different levels all as once, both loving and disliking the man, and creates a rather rich contrast and twisted connection. Bjorkedal manages to perfectly encapsulate this confusing yet clear relationship between father and daughter.


Bjorkedal delivers a really strong performance, bringing out the many nuances of Ella, a character who is slowly weathered down by the reality of her situation. Bjorkedal convincingly portrays a young and aggressive Ella as she confronts Sarah in an almost threatening manner, only mere moments after warmly interacting and welcoming audiences into the room. Bjorkedal takes Ella on a journey of adolescence, along with the toll of the nature of her parent’s relationship slowly wearing her down. Between the child Ella allowing her emotions to get the better of her and taking it out on friends, to a teenage Ella who chooses to disconnect and let loose in her own frantic way (a wonderfully free dance break, accompanied with a loud song from Nirvana), to the adult Ella who recognises warning signs and chooses to better for both herself and her mother. Bjorkedal has clearly done her research on how witnessing domestic abuse creates a gnawing guilt that slowly eats away at a child and ends the show with a striking moment of gentle strength.



An Average Family has several emotionally charged moments that sway audiences into Ella’s world. By having audience members read out diary extracts, and with Bjorkedal loudly encouraging the participants to fully embody Ella, the play hits home a little stronger. By choosing to infuse lighter hearted moments as well, as moments of hilarious audience improvisations, the play opts to look at better and more hopeful days ahead whilst still beautifully painting a traumatic picture.


★★★★☆ (4*)


Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Andrew H. Williams

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