To marry is really just putting on a play on the biggest
day of your life. But is being in a marriage a play too?

Skeljar, translating to Shells in English, is a two-hander about a couple facing one of the biggest questions you can ask of another person; whether they want to spend the rest of their lives with you or not. One could argue that there is no question in the world as inherently beautiful, but above all else, it’s simply such a huge ask. To state it bluntly, to ask someone to marry you is an act of violence, really. To ask someone to be faithful to you, through thick and thin, for the rest of your lives. Or what? A failed proposal at the beach turns into a debate about wedding traditions, family names, ceremonial services and how we express love in modern times. The piece premiered in Ásmundarsalur, Reykjavík, in February 2025 and was nominated as Stageplay of the Year at the Icelandic Theatre Awards, Gríman.

★★★★
“Fully deserves attention of those who appreciate the artistic refinement and vision of young and promising artists on the eternal themes: love, happiness, the roles we play in life, and the importance of listening to the voices in our heads.”
Þ.T., Morgunblaðið (The Daily Paper)

”Magnús creates emotionally rich and interesting characters who are engaged in a constant internal struggle as well as in conflict with each other. The performances by Vilbergur and Hólmfríður were convincing and sincere, and they successfully conveyed the characters’ complex emotional lives to the audience.”
K.Á., RÚV (National Radio of Iceland)

“The dialogue is excellently written, flows well, and maintains just the right amount of tension between the characters.”
S.A., Tímarit Máls og Menningar

“Magnús Thorlacius has firmly established himself in the Icelandic theatre scene in the last few years.”
S.J., Heimildin