Gillian Lynne Theatre (studio)
10 October 2024 (released)
4 d
The Lehman Trilogy, by Italian playwright Stefano Massini, has had an incredible journey from its initial premiere in Italy to becoming a critically acclaimed theatrical phenomenon. Described by Andrew Lloyd Webber as “theatre at its finest”, Massini’s 2015 work explores the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers banking dynasty, spanning across 150 years, until the climactic 2008 collapse of the investment bank. After its world premiere in Milan, the production was adapted for the stage by Ben Power and directed by Sam Mendes. It premiered at the National Theatre in 2018 before transferring to the West End and Broadway to gran acclaim. Now, this adaptation is running at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London, following its successful West End stint.
The Lehman Trilogy is an ambitious piece of theatre, unfolding across three acts, all performed by a trio of actors who take on a multitude of roles across generations. The play begins with the arrival of Henry Lehman (tonight played by John Heffernan’s understudy Leighton Pugh), a Jewish immigrant from Bavaria to America in 1844. Over the course of the next three hours and twenty minutes, we follow the entrepreneurial spirit of Henry and his two brothers, Emanuel (Howard W. Overshown) and Mayer (Aaron Krohn), as they build their trading company in the cotton business. Their early successes lead to the transformation of their small firm into one of the largest financial institutions in the world, and the play shifts to focus on the next generations, charting major family milestones as the empire grows until its ultimate downfall.
Old, young, male, female the three actors skilfully rotate through the various family members, business associates, and other key figures in the company’s story. Subtle shifts in voice, gesture, and mood differentiate the characters in a show that relies heavily of the expertise of the three actors at its heart.
The simplicity of the set, designed by Es Devlin, a large, revolving unit is also used to maximum effect. The unit transforms with the help of lighting and 180-degree semi-circular back projections. This ensures the focus remains firmly on the actors and the weighty script which is delivered at speed and peppered with comedic moments which lightens a complex financial storyline. A lone pianist accompanies the dialogue serving to highlight pivotal scenes, the minimalist approach mirroring the set design.
Sam Mendes’ direction ensures all three acts remain engaging, dynamic, and swift in this epic production. This latest run of The Lehman Trilogy, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre will serve to further bolster this great theatrical work. If you have not yet seen this play do make time for it, you will not be disappointed.
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Photo credit: Mark Douet
