DramaLondonReview

Rock ’n’ Roll – Hampstead Theatre, London

Reviewer: Stephen Bates

Writer: Tom Stoppard

Director: Nina Raine

Any play that begins as the Russian army invades a neighbouring country is sure to strike a chord with modern audiences, even if they are too young to remember the events of 1968. This revival of Czech-born writer Tom Stoppard’s 2006 play Rock ’n’ Roll serves as a timely reminder of the impact of the foreign occupation of Czechoslovakia on the country’s people, their freedoms and their culture, including, of course, their music.

Unlike the present day, 20th-century divisions in Europe were founded, at least in part, on ideological differences, the West upholding the principles of capitalism and democracy and the Eastern Soviet bloc following the principles of communism and authoritarian rule. These opposing ideologies form the basis for Stoppard’s play.

Max (Nathaniel Parker) is a university professor, living in Cambridge with his dying wife, Eleanor (Nancy Carroll). He is a prominent Marxist, believing unswervingly in egalitarianism and the iron-fist methods needed to enforce it. Jan (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd), studying for a doctorate, is his pupil and supposed disciple. The 1968 Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia inspires Jan to move back to his home country and he packs up his precious vinyl collection of rock music and leaves for Prague.

On arrival, Jan experiences the realities of the occupation. The country’s leader, Alexander Dubček is perceived as weak (“basically Cliff Richard”) and its leading rock band, The Plastic People, is driven underground. Working as a writer, Jan becomes a dissident and he pays the price. For large chunks of the play, Stoppard is, in effect, playing Devil’s advocate with himself as he lays down the arguments to support the viewpoints of both Max and Jan, but the problem is that good arguments do not necessarily make good drams. Perhaps realising this, the writer brings in human stories of friendship and romance, but they come across as afterthoughts and the two distinct elements of the play never connect properly with each other.

The second act leaps forward 19 years. Margaret Thatcher has just been re-elected as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Max is showing signs of dementia and U2 have replaced The Rolling Stones at the top of playlists. Most significantly, there are signs that The Cold War is beginning to thaw. Jan returns to Cambridge to find that the obdurate Max has not moderated his views and the drama becomes cluttered with secondary characters as the writer seems to struggle to find an apposite ending.

The unevenness of the play takes us on a rocky ride, but director Nina Raine’s classy in-the-round production makes it much smoother. The acting is impeccable and Anna Reid’s set designs with Peter Mumford’s atmospheric lighting support the actors admirably.

The writer’s sharp wit shines through the fog that the play sometimes walks into. Overall, Stoppard’s clearest message could be that political regimes come and go, but rock ’n’ roll lives forever.

Runs until 27 January 2024

The Reviews Hub Score

A rocky ride

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The Reviews Hub London is under the editorship of Richard Maguire. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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