Three hour-long plays, two intervals, three men in black frock-coats explain some financial history in a revolving glass box in front of a projected, mainly monochrome, cyclorama. When The Lehman Trilogy triumphed at the National Theatre in 2018 I wrote “this show has no right to be so much fun”. Recast and home again, it still is a treat after waltzing Broadway and LA and winning a Tony for Best Play.
NEWS: SOLT & UK Theatre survey reveals 95% of theatre organisations are worse off due to Covid
A year ago, on 16 March 2020, theatres across the country closed their doors due to the pandemic. Survey results collected by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre from across the theatre sector paint a picture of an industry that has struggled to survive the past 12 months and faced huge financial strain – but remains resilient and adaptable.
NEWS: Michaela Coel & Eddie Redmayne join Theatre Artists Fund appeal for struggling theatre workers
A host of top performers and theatre-makers have lent their support to a campaign for the Theatre Artists Fund, in the lead-up to the 16 March anniversary of UK theatres closing due to the pandemic.
NEWS: Theatremakers from all four nations are celebrated in The Stage 100 list
The Stage has unveiled its annual The Stage 100 list. The list has been re-imagined this year to celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond in helping theatre survive the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced.
NEWS: Sam Mendes spearheads fund for UK theatre workers & freelancers supported by Netflix
Oscar-winning film and theatre director Sam Mendes is the driving force behind the Theatre Artists Fund, set up for theatre professionals who are in need of urgent and critical financial support.
NEWS: Government announces £1.5 billion lifeline for UK arts & culture
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has bowed to pressure from the arts world and unveiled a £1.57 billion lifeline for the UK’s theatres, venues and museums struggling to stay afloat in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
NEWS: Elton John, Sam Mendes, Natasha Gordon, James Graham & Giles Terera feature in the New Year Honours List
Elton John, Sam Mendes, Christopher Hampton, Natasha Gordon, James Graham, Giles Terera and Stephen Mear are among the list of theatre and showbusiness luminaries who feature in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
NEWS: Big wins for Sonia Friedman Productions’ The Ferryman & Ink at the Tony Awards while National celebrates Hadestown & Network honours
Sonia Friedman Productions is celebrating after the Broadway transfers of The Ferryman and Ink garnered six wins at the 2019 Tony Awards, while the National Theatre had plenty to be happy about following Bryan Cranston being named Best Leading Actor in a Play for Network and Hadestown (which finished a run at the National in January this year) scooping eight awards.
‘For sheer technical theatrical genius, it’s in a class of its own’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – West End ★★★★
Notwithstanding its flawed message, in these times of unparalleled political polarisation The Lehman Trilogy will be lapped up by eager audiences. And for sheer technical theatrical genius, the play is in a class of its own.
Text of the Day: Gwyneth Paltrow dislocates her knee
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
NEWS: The Lehman Trilogy transfers from the National Theatre to the West End in May 2019
The West End transfer of the National Theatre’s The Lehman Trilogy, directed by Sam Mendes, will play at the Piccadilly Theatre from 11 May 2019 for a 12-week season. Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles will reprise the roles they originated at the National.
‘An era-defining production’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre
Stefano Massini’s work about the origins of Lehman Brothers Bank is a domestic epic and a remarkable evening of theatre.
‘Lacking its own definite sense of identity’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre
Like America promises so much to Henry Lehman when he stands on the dock side, The Lehman Trilogy at the National Theatre promised so much as well.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Lehman Trilogy at the National Theatre
Sam Mendes directs this production of Stefano Massini’s The Lehman Trilogy starring Simon Russell Beale, Ben Miles and Adam Godley. Here Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews…
‘One of the best theatre experiences of the entire year’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre
The clarity and resonance of the writing turns the tale into art, and the quality of direction, design and, above all, the magnificence of the acting, make this one of the best theatre experiences of the entire year.
‘A monumental comment on our life & times’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre ★★★★
Like two of its major successes last year, Oslo and Network, and despite some flaws, The Lehman Trilogy is another unmissable state-of-our-world account from the NT. Do see it if you can.
‘An intelligent look behind the scenes of the American Dream’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre ★★★★★
The Lehman Trilogy is an intelligent look behind the scenes of the American Dream and the smoke and mirrors of the corporate world, brought to light by Mendes’ astute direction and a stellar cast.
‘A fluent masterclass from three of our finest actors’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre ★★★★★
Moral, intriguing, endlessly entertaining, The Lehman Trilogy is a fluent masterclass from three of our finest actors. Awed.
‘A rare & beautifully-made theatrical triumph’: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – National Theatre
The Lehman Trilogy is a substantial achievement, a beautifully balanced depiction of the role of one family in a much wider history of America.
NEWS: Hamilton scoops seven Olivier Awards with top honours for The Ferryman & National Theatre too
New American musical Hamilton collected seven Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and The Ferryman went home with three prizes at the Olivier Awards 2018, the UK’s most prestigious stage honours announced tonight (Sunday 8 April 2018) at London’s Royal Albert Hall hosted by Catherine Tate.