COMEDY
In this performance, Ane Skumsvoll delves into boundary disputes, property lines, personal boundaries, boundary-crossing and, not least, the boundless irritation caused by the “f***ing neighbour”.
Actor Ane Skumsvoll, currently appearing in the NRK series Agent Tørr, is deeply fascinated by neighbour disputes: what we argue about, and especially the animal instincts that are triggered when we feel invaded.
In Norwegian folklore, anyone who moved a boundary stone was condemned to endless hard labour in the afterlife. They could not rest in the grave and were doomed to remain at the boundary for eternity, futilely trying to put the stone back. The punishment is considerably milder today. But you can actually face up to one year in prison.
Neighbourhood busybody Skumsvoll throws herself into this territory with a not entirely insignificant urge to offer unsolicited lessons for the good of the community. But beneath it all lies something else: the fear of speaking up. What happens when we let irritation build up and instead resort to hints, little digs and passive-aggressive behaviour, with highly variable results?
Perhaps this is also our way of dealing with discomfort – taking the long way round, sugar-coating things and hoping the message gets through without having to confront the issue ourselves. Because, after all, it is considerably easier to be annoyed than to have the conversation.
