Gillian Lynne Theatre
166 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW 020 3925 2998
- Synopsis
- Theatremonkey show opinion
- Reader reviews
- Performance schedule
- Ticket prices
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS / "BUY OR AVOID" SEAT GUIDE
Previews from 23rd September, opens 9th October 2024. Ends 4th January 2025
CONTAINS FLASHING IMAGES IN ACT 3 THAT MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. ALSO CONTAINS A 15 SECOND "TOTAL DARKNESS" SEQUENCE AND GUNSHOT SOUNDS.
Captioned performances: 28th October 2024 at 7pm, 7th December 2024 at 1pm.
Audio described performances: 30th November 2024 at 1pm, 3rd January 2025 at 7pm.
Signed performance: 16th November 2024 at 1pm.
New York, 1844. A Bavarian and his brothers arrive. 163 years later, the bank they founded collapses in spectacular fashion.
Over three parts in a single evening, Ben Power's translation of Stefano Massini's play was originally directed by Sam Mendes at the National Theatre in summer 2018. It returns following 2023 West End and Broadway success.
(from the original National Theatre production: seen at the afternoon performance on 17th July 2018). Some actors have now left the production.
This really is rather like the bank itself. Doughty and reliable until the closing minutes, when it really does all fall to pieces. Es Devlin's remarkable cuboid set (with Luke Halls rather distracting video projections) and Sam Mendes inventive yet unobtrusive direction place Simon Russell Beale (Henry Lehman), Ben Miles (Emanuel Lehman) and Adam Godley (Mayer Lehrman) in prime position to tell a tale spanning over a century.
Act 1 sees three brothers coming to America and turning a wool and clothing store into a bank. Act 2 is the establishment and growth in New York. Act 3 the demise. The first act is deeply moving. A nod to Rabbi Epstein for the perfection of the Jewish rituals and pronunciation, and all three actors as they bring vivid life to their characters... and a good few more besides.
Act 2 is a transition as generations descend and take over. Beale is a wonder as Philip, and there are some lovely comedy moments.
Sadly, the third act spoils the rest. While it is possible to overlook a lack of detail about where the capital came from to expand business in act 1; you will need either a good memory, Google or a copy of the programme to find out where it all went wrong. Given that at that point we had invested nearly 3 hours of careful attention, the effect is almost as if writer Stefano Massini and adaptor Ben Power delivered a final script with a few pages missing. Mendes does his best, but we need far more than we get.
Rather like a billion dollar byword for reliability failing with shocking abruptness, so a crash from 5 stars and a standing ovation to 4 stars - with 5 only for acting and script was the monkey's mildly upset opinion.
“Stalls N25: (Broadway John). View was very good as it is impossible for heads to block you as you are over a stairwell. The bars wouldn't be in your view unless you were maybe a child. Legroom was good.”
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.
Monday to Friday at 7pm
Saturday at 1pm and 7pm (first 1pm performance on 5th October 2024)
Runs 3 hours 20 minutes approximately, including 2 intervals.
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS / "BUY OR AVOID" SEAT GUIDE
Theatres use "dynamic pricing." Seat prices change according to demand for a particular performance. Prices below were compiled as booking originally opened. Current prices are advised at time of enquiry.
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All performances from 9th October 2024 onwards
Preview performances until 8th October 2024
RUSH TICKETS: App Todaytix are offering £30 "Rush tickets," located at venue discretion, for all performances. Released for the performance on that day, first-come, first-served. Download the App from Todaytix.