Writer: Amalia Kontesi
Director: Sam Tannenbaum
Someone of Significance is an unconventional love story between a prominent left-wing US politician and a CEO of a multinational corporation set along the changing landscape of America’s recent political past.
Brad (Simon Bass) is a rising star in a New York investment bank and Rosie (Funlola Olufunwa) is a junior in the same firm. They meet at a Christmas party soon after Brad’s marriage. There’s an opportune work relationship that’s cultivated; Brad sees a smart and motivated employee and Rosie sees an opportunity to progress in the business. But beyond that there’s an immediate spark between them.
What evolves is an affair that grows into a mutual deep love as their careers blossom but veer in opposite directions. The big question is will love or career ultimately succeed?
Someone of Significance is based on a short play and this full-length version was developed with help from the Young Vic theatre. In its current version Amalia Kontesi’s sparse writing focuses on the relationship between Brad and Rosie and teases at the surrounding political and career environment. It’s presented as a series of snapshots of liaisons between them, each separated by a number of years.
The timeline is indicated by the playing of radio news between the scenes, each newscast focussing on a political story at the time – If your knowledge of American politics isn’t great, you may not know if one year or five years have passed, so it may be confusing but it’s not ultimately, detrimental to the show.
Both Bass and Olufunwa deliver strong and highly engaging performances. Olufunwa particularly shines in portraying Rosie as career minded but without that bitchy or egocentric demeanour that strong women are so often presented with. Bass is somewhat mild-mannered for a high-flyer investment banker, though he shows a side that gives reason for the relationship to start and continue.
Someone of Significance, in its short running time, delivers a strong impact. It’s a love story that shouldn’t work but does. The vignettes we’re shown of Brad and Rosie’s relationship teases of something more emotional and passionate behind the scenes, but never leaves you questioning the narrative. The question of love vs career is all too relevant, and whilst the play’s resolution doesn’t offer a tidy answer, it’s more than satisfactory. Well directed by Sam Tannenbaum this piece represents 21st century love in a fresh, engaging and very relatable way.
Runs until 6 March 2023
