The Line of Beauty

The Line of Beauty at The Almeida Theatre thrillingly adapts the award-winning book by Alan Hollinghurst. Set in the 1980s, Nick Guest, vibrantly captured by Jasper Talbot, navigates life as a young gay man after moving in with the Feddens, the family of his wealthy university friend. The family’s patriarch, newly elected MP Gerald Fedden, is played by Charles Edward. His rebellious and depressed daughter Cat, played by Ellie Bamber, is the charismatic companion and confidante to Nick until a discovery shifts the dynamic. Her striking performance left me wanting to know more about her and her mental health. The shifts in the storyline make the play truly riveting. The play explores Nick’s experiences living at the periphery of power and the ruling class in Thatcher’s Britain. The story chronicles his experiences from a more than cheeky scene in Kensington Park Garden to a dance with Ms Thatcher herself and to being faced with the harsh reality of the AIDS epidemic, which is explored more fully in the second act.

The performances delivered by a hugely skilful and talented cast elevated the production. Notable mentions go to Hannah Morrish for her characterisations of Sophie Tipper and Penny Kent, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for her portrayal of Rosemary Charles and Robert Portal for his portrayal of ‘Badger’, whose open disdain of Nick speaks to the divides of the time. Michael Grandage’s direction enriches the play further, adding layers of meaning without being unnecessarily theatrical. Most especially in the more intimate scenes. For instance, Nick's dinner with love interest Leo (Alistair Nwachukwu) and his family highlights the disparities in class and race that separate them from the likes of the Feddens.

It’s a feat to capture the depth and breadth of the story in a stage production. However, the set design does a fantastic job of doing just that, ensuring cohesion in the transitions in the narrative from an antique furniture shop floor to the Ogee office and everywhere in between.

The play concludes poignantly, symbolising the culmination of Nick's journey. Overall, the play touches on timely and relevant themes of social and class divides, which makes it all the more compelling to watch.