Almeida Theatre production of Romans evaluated: overwhelmed by ambition yet complex and intricate
In the heart of London, Alice Birch's latest play, "Romans: A Novel," is currently gracing the stage at the Almeida Theatre. Known for her work on Succession and Normal People, Birch delves into the lives of three brothers over more than a century.
The play follows the Roman brothers: Jack (Kyle Soller), Marlow (Oliver Johnstone), and Edmund (Stuart Thompson). The narrative shifts to reflect the conventions of the dominant literary trends of each period, offering a unique perspective on the brothers' evolving lives.
However, the staging of Romans veers unevenly between too static and too frenetic, making it challenging to fully engage with the story. Much of the attention is lavished on Jack, while Marlow's scenes feel like interruptions, creating an uneven balance in the narrative.
Marlow, the middle brother, amasses a fortune and becomes a billionaire tech bro, while Edmund drops out of society and re-emerges as a minor influencer with a whiff of the Liver King. Jack, the eldest brother, becomes a victim of cancel culture.
The play's runtime is over two and a half hours, and these abrupt changes in tone and style make it a challenging watch. Some of the dialogue in the play describes what is happening instead of demonstrating it, adding to the disjointed feel.
Edmund's storyline involving a string of murders is barely explored, leaving many questions unanswered. The play, overall, is generally bleak, with few instances of humor or empathy, and a pervasive sense of anomie, offering no hope for improvement.
One of the most entertaining parts of the play is a protracted mid-century interlude featuring an artsy commune with drugs and orgies. A conversation between Jack and Esther (Adelle Leonce), the most fully developed female character, feels like a meta-defense against potential criticism, similar to the 'It's so dumb, it's brilliant' exchange from Glass Onion.
Jerry Killick delivers a chilling performance as a villain in the play. The overarching conceit of unnaturally long-lived characters in Romans recalls Orlando or Highlander, but it is never explicitly addressed in the text.
Romans is expected to divide opinion, with some viewing it as a brilliant exploration of masculinity through a postmodern, theatrical reinterpretation of the roman-fleuve, while others may see it as a disjointed mess. It is not intended to be judged after a first hearing, and it is unlikely that it will be heard a second time.
The play, Romans, continues to play at the Almeida Theatre until 11 October. Rossini's observations about Wagner's work can be applied to Romans, as it has "lovely moments but awful quarters of an hour." Whether you find Romans a masterpiece or a mess, it is undoubtedly a thought-provoking and unforgettable theatrical experience.
