As a seasoned theatre enthusiast with roots deeply entrenched in Nottingham, I must say that John Heffernan‘s insights into The Lehman Trilogy are nothing short of enlightening. His experiences performing this epic play in both London and America offer a unique perspective on the universal resonance of its themes.
Previously to “The Lehman Trilogy” at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, there was “Richard Hawley’s Standing at the Sky’s Edge”. As Heffernan noted, it’s intriguing to contrast “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” with “Lehman”, because while it tells a personal story, it also unfolds against significant sociological shifts that have occurred over many decades. It carries an intimate feel yet encompasses a broad, epic perspective as well.
Speaking about his performance at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London, The Crown actor expressed: “It’s wonderful to stage this production in a city like London because the audience will be so diverse and enrich the show with unique perspectives. I feel as if I’m tapping into the essence of what theater was originally about – communities gathering and reflecting societal issues of their time.
But how is performing The Lehman Trilogy in the country the Lehman brothers impacted the most?
During the 2008 financial crisis, not only did Lehman Brothers Inc file for bankruptcy, but many other organizations met the same fate. While performing The Lehman Trilogy in America, I was keenly conscious that some people in the audience would have previously worked for Lehman. In fact, during one performance, an audience member exclaimed, “Lehman brothers, I’ll see you in Hell!”. It’s fascinating, in a way, that it provokes such strong emotions.
One surprising aspect for audience members about The Lehman Trilogy might be its seemingly daunting three-hour duration. However, as Ben Power’s brilliant adaptation makes clear, there’s no need to delve into extensive research beforehand; the play is captivating enough on its own.
Essentially, we’re looking at three performers who narrate a story right before your eyes. The narrative itself is vast and encompassing, carrying an almost legendary quality. It deals with universal topics like family, economic systems (capitalism), and the bond between fathers and sons, resonating deeply with many individuals.
The bond among Heffernan, Aaron Krohn, and Howard W Overshown is crucial to the play’s triumph. Thankfully, they share an excellent camaraderie off-stage as well! In other words, the harmony among these three actors is key to the success of the performance, much like a relay race where teamwork plays a significant role. And it doesn’t hurt that they get along splendidly!
Yet, Heffernan admits: “It was a challenging period. They were grieving their fellow cast member on the show. Additionally, this was my first time taking charge of a production, making it a novel situation for me too.
In case you weren’t aware, the performers and creative team were midway through an international tour in Sydney. Unfortunately and shockingly, there was a talented actor named Adrian Schiller portraying Henry Lehman, who tragically passed away upon their return from Sydney.
“I received a call asking for my assistance, with only a little over two weeks to prepare. It was quite a chaotic situation! Fortunately, both actors returned to assist me in rehearsals. Despite feeling stressed, they were incredibly understanding and kind. They are truly exceptional talents who know the show like the back of their hand.
While many people may resonate with the themes in The Lehman Trilogy, there remains a question as to whether everyone believes the theater is accessible to them. This issue is something that Heffernan feels strongly about, expressing it as: “It’s not fulfilling when one has the sense they are merely performing for a particular segment of society.
It was music to this Nottingham-born Digital Writer’s ears when Heffernan spoke about James Graham in relation to accessibility: “James Graham is on a mission to get the Nottingham accent in more shows. Too many things are London-based.”
Known for remarkable plays like Labour of Love and Dear England, the playwright who won an Olivier Award will be transferring the Nottingham-based production, Punch, to London next year.
I found myself nodding vigorously with James Graham’s perspective on the underrepresentation of class discussions in the arts. I am deeply concerned that we may be moving towards an exclusive environment where only those from a particular economic background can pursue drama as a profession.
As a film enthusiast, I firmly believe that introducing dramatic elements in our educational institutions is crucial. It opens up a new world of possibilities for the young minds we nurture. Now, with my own pair of little cinematographers at home, I can’t help but notice how intriguing and engaging this perspective becomes.
Presenting unique plays such as The Lehman Trilogy presents a more challenging scenario: “I get that it’s simpler to stage a play in the West End if it has a built-in fanbase, like Harry Potter or Stranger Things. However, mounting an original production is much riskier, but the potential payoff can be significantly greater.
Heffernan continues: “Original shows are vital to the West End. New work is brilliant.”
According to Heffernan, since The Lehman Trilogy has already collected five Tony Awards, including the Best New Play award, there’s a strong possibility that it could return for another stint in New York City. In other words, the play has many more opportunities ahead of it!
There’s a significant demand for both versions, including “The Lehman Trilogy,” an epic play penned by Massini. Ben Power and Sam Mendes have masterfully condensed it, making this adaptation feel uniquely special. It might even be turned into a movie someday.
“It could be a HBO mini series!”
When and where can I see John Heffernan in The Lehman Trilogy?
If you’d like to see Heffernan in Mendes’s The Lehman Trilogy, you have from now until Sunday 5th January to head on down to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End.
The Gillian Lynn Theatre can be conveniently reached via public transportation. It’s situated near Holborn Underground Station, which services both the Central and Piccadilly lines, as well as Covent Garden Underground Station that caters to the Piccadilly line.
How to get The Lehman Trilogy tickets
Tickets to see The Lehman Trilogy are on sale right now from London Theatre Direct.
The performance is scheduled all the way up to its last day on Sunday, 5th January, and the ticket prices start at £25.
To catch up on the latest West End news and critiques, check out our review for “Why Am I So Single?”, featuring Mawaan Rizwan, a take on “The Rocky Horror Show”, and the “Shifters” review.
Read More
- SQR PREDICTION. SQR cryptocurrency
- DOGS PREDICTION. DOGS cryptocurrency
- DOP PREDICTION. DOP cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- UXLINK PREDICTION. UXLINK cryptocurrency
- KNINE PREDICTION. KNINE cryptocurrency
- CLOUD PREDICTION. CLOUD cryptocurrency
- TON PREDICTION. TON cryptocurrency
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- HI PREDICTION. HI cryptocurrency
2024-10-17 19:04