Writer: David Adjmi
Original songs: Will Butler
Director: Daniel Aukin
By the mid-1970s, the Beatles-led invasion of British pop had faded in America, being replaced in part by country-influenced soft rock bands such as The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, who sold millions of vinyl albums to be heard by avid fans on their stereo music centres. David Adjmi’s multiple Tony Award-winning play with songs focuses on a fictional band in this mould. It proposes that out of chaos, magic emerges, a theory that is advanced further by the play itself.
In style, director David Aukin’s production could be seen as a cross between an Annie Baker play and a jukebox musical. Baker is an American dramatist whose work, seen several times during the last decade at the National Theatre, is noted for its slow progression and long silences. Here, the lethargic feel purports to imitate real life, but, at the same time, it gives a surreal air to the production, which, over time, becomes mesmerising. Undoubtedly, the pace and pauses are factors contributing to a perhaps excessive running time of three and a quarter hours (including interval).
Baker located one of her plays in a near-empty art house cinema, and Adjmi consigns his characters to being dwarfed equally in a Los Angeles recording studio, which is realised beautifully in David Zinn’s imposing two-level set design. Remarkable work by lighting designer Jiyoun Chang further heightens the production’ visual impact.
Adjmi does not use a central narrative to drive the play, instead examining the behaviour of the seven individuals gathered together to record their new album. These are people for whom the pressure of fame is equalled only by the fear of anonymity. We witness their egos in full flow, their neuroses, their make-ups and break-ups, their drug taking, and we get to glimpse their musical talent. Lucy Karczewski is particularly striking as the unstable singer/songwriter Diana, and Zachary Hart impresses as the addicted Brit bass player Reg. However, it feels unfair to single them out from the other outstanding actors/musicians who are: Andrew R Butler, Eli Gelb, Jack Riddiford, Chris Stack and Nia Towle.
When the drama gets sluggish, as it often does by design, Will Butler’s excellent 1970s-style rock songs act as an instant pick-me-up. They are so authentic that it is tempting to check that they were not genuine smash his of that era. They were not, but they should have been.
Stereophonic, already a huge hit with New York critics, could present challenges for West End audiences who are unaccustomed to this style of theatre. It is long and slow, but it is also bold and rewarding. The best advice is to go to see it and stick with it. ’70s rockers and many others should find it a blast.
Runs until 11 October 2925
The Reviews Hub Score
A blast
