Indentity Crisis

"The reality of communication is that we are all constantly projecting and reading into things. We often think we've got it right, but we've got no idea if we do.” Communication is on Karen Sibbing's mind as she prepares to return to her role in Adena Jacobs' acclaimed production of Persona. Based on a haunting Ingmar Bergman film, it's the story of Elizabeth, an actress who inexplicably goes mute, and Alma, the nurse who forms a powerful and dangerous attachment to her. Sibbing plays Alma, opposite Meredith Penman's Elizabeth. What is it like to portray a relationship where one person is silent? “A conversation with the eyes is the best way to explain it,” Sibbing says. “[It is done] using gestures. I still feel so much of what I say is responding to what she gives me, just not in words.” Sibbing herself speaks in a soft European accent. Originally from the Netherlands, she moved to Melbourne to train at the VCA. She talks eloquently but slowly, giving the impression that she thinks carefully before every word.

Sibbing elaborates on the relationship at the core of the play. “Alma interprets Elizabeth's silence as a listening ear, and as full of generosity. She starts speaking and can't really stop. She ends up revealing a lot of things about herself, and projecting onto Elizabeth.” Along with intimacy and betrayal, the play also examines identity, as the boundaries between the two women break down and they begin to merge on some level. While it sounds very dramatic, Sibbing points out that there is a universal quality to it as well. “I think everyone can relate, for example, to how in high school best friends can end up mimicking each other, having the same expressions. People do it on a small scale quite a lot, without even being aware of it. But this is of course a very radical, horrifying scale.”

The theme of identity in the play is one that resonates for Sibbing. “I think the need to be seen and known by another person, and the many levels of complexity of that, is extremely strong in this play.” Like much of Begmann's work it also raises metaphysical questions. “There is a whole meta-level of... I don't want to say God [because] I'm not a religious person myself, but there is a feeling of 'Is anyone even watching over us at all?'”  Originally staged at Theatre Works last year, Persona picked up a series of awards - including one for Sibbing's performance - and some critics named it a theatre highlight of the year. Returning to it in order to restage it in Melbourne and bring it to Sydney for the first time is an exciting but somewhat daunting prospect, especially now that Sibbing knows how much the play requires of her. “It's such an all-immersing intense world and journey to go into ... [and] this time around I know how tall the mountain is!” she laughs. “[But] as intimidated as I am, I think we all feel so blessed that we get to give this another life.”

WHAT: Persona
WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 27 June to Sunday 14 July, Malthouse, Beckett Theatre VIC