“Had Ragnarok happened yet? Was it still to happen? I did not know then. I am not certain now.” (Gaiman, 2017)

The art of storytelling, for it is indeed an art, has been one that is prized among cultures across the globe for centuries. Stories were and are a way for us as a species to explain the phenomenal world around us. Inspired by the Norse story of Ragnarok, I have set about creating a piece with an environmental message. Most people with a passing knowledge of Norse mythology, know that Ragnarok is the end of the world. This, however, is not the case. The story of Ragnarok as laid out in the Vöulspá does tell of a near apocalyptic event wherein the majority of the Norse pantheon die in a great battle. Once the dust has settled, we find that there are some gods, giants and humans who survive Ragnarok and go about building a new world. Ragnarok is ultimately a story of hope in the darkest time and that is the message I want to get across with Post.

The events of Ragnarok are preceded by eccentric weather in the form of particularly long winters which eventually take hold all year round. It is from this aspect of the myth that I have taken inspiration from. Post is set during one of these winters. The audience, consisting of three or four people is allowed into the space wherein they find a cardboard “lean to” surrounded by fog and debris. They are allowed to explore this setting for a while before the Völva who lives there appears. The term “Völva” is used in several Norse myths, most notably one serving as the narrator for the Vöulspá, to denote a woman who practises magic. In effect a witch. While Völva could be men it was rare and they were often treated with scorn if not outright killed.

            On encountering the Völva the audience will be questioned, and interaction is expected. The Völva will invite them to sit and drink while they offer them either a story of my own devising which will srve as a metaphor for how the world got to this point or a spell similarly of my own devising. They will allude to being able to see the future but sees little point in doing so. The audience will be encouraged to choose one. In effect this performance has three versions which is why I am performing it three times.

 

Gaiman, N. (2017) Introduction. In: Norse Mythology. London: Bloomsbury publishing.