It has taken me a few weeks to sit down and find the words to summarise what has been… A Very Lovely Summer. I joined the show on the Stage Management team during rehearsals, two months ago today feeling very nervous, but so unbelievably excited. Little did I know just how wonderful the next couple of months would be.
The Old Vic is full of incredible people, whether you have seen someone three times that day or never before, everyone says hello as they pass on the stairs and greets you with a smile. Being new to this industry you hear a lot of stories of how "competitive everyone is" and how "miserable the industry can be"…yet working with the cast and company on this show I found that those remarks could not be further from the truth. I have never been around so many selfless, supportive, talented and all be it hilarious people.
After I finished on the show, I went back to watch it as a regular audience member. Despite the fact that I know the exact layout of Ruby Webb’s beautiful props table, the order of the fabulous wig changes by Rob Wilson, Jen Tait’s precise interval turn around list and which side of the stage Tom Brooke has probably left his water bottle; I still became absolutely enthralled within the piece from the beginning as if I had never seen it before.
The play is written by Lucy Prebble based on the award-winning book by Luke Harding. It follows the love story between Alexander and Marina Litvinenko, from the start of their marriage until the Public Enquiry of his death that was published in 2016.
There are so many reasons for why this play is so important, especially given the current political climate. Yet I suppose the biggest reason for this potent play is that…this really did happen. Alexander really was poisoned in London in 2006 and Marina not only lost her husband but had to fight for 10 years to find justice for him. Lucy Prebble brings this story to the stage through dark humour, suspense and honesty. One minute you’re laughing at the comedic timing and the dazzle of theatrics and the next Lucy makes you sit up in your sit with empathy at the pain unfolding before you.
John Crowley’s direction is admirable to watch behind the scenes and on stage. After seeing the show three weeks ago, I can still picture the look in Tom’s eyes as he beautifully reveals the love and pain Alexander feels as he comprehends, he will have to leave Marina so much sooner than he wishes. MyAnna Buring’s graceful portrayal of Marina is heart-breaking and extraordinarily full of courage. I met the real Marina Litvinenko a few times during the production and I admire her strength more than words can say; yet MyAnna without a doubt shows you all of those loved qualities on stage. On account of Tom Brooke and MyAnna Buring’s deeply honest performances, I never once forgot that this story, is not just a story.
Yet, the play would not be as gripping without the hilarious duo of Lloyd Hutchinson and Michael Shaeffer, the daringly theatrical Peter Polycarpou as Boris. Not to mention the fierce and everchanging Sarah Seggari, Yasmine Holness-Dove, Callum Coates, Robyn Moore, Amanda Hadingue and Bea Svistunenko. Reece Shearsmith as Putin is perfectly chilling on stage, in contrast to him as he happens to be the complete opposite offstage! The humourous comedic timing between the detectives and Emmerson are something not to be missed as a result of Gavin Spokes, Thomas Arnold and Marc Graham.
Yet what gives this show a home is Tom Scutt’s incredible design. The set embraces the fast pace nature of which the investigation had to develop at in order for Alexander to solve it. Furthermore, the design coincides with how the individuals are in a constant fight to spin their own narrative on the events, therefore making you have to think and take a closer look at what is truly happening. The set is bold with brilliant Brechtian elements that highlight the façade portrayed by Putin, Dimitri Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi. The visual concept of the show is fantastic and remarkably sleek in its changes, all thanks to the rest of the Stage Management team: Anthony Field, Jen Tait, Ruby Webb and Simon Humphris. Just as my time on this show would not have been as glorious without these insanely talented four people.
I will forever be grateful to have worked alongside each and every person involved in this potent piece of theatre. Thank you for all your support, guidance and for making me laugh until my sides hurt!
This wonderful show very sadly ends it’s run tonight (Saturday 5th October), so please enjoy the show in support of this fabulous company as we say goodbye and pay tribute to the wonderful family behind it all…the Litvinenko’s.
Thank you and please…
