Mike Bartlett's Albion

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 11:05am

Just back from a quick London trip and I must praise Mark Bartlett's incredible new play, Albion.  A stunning work of intelligence and beauty about, among other themes, the shift of England's genteel class amid an uncertain future following Brexit.  This is a complete oversimplification of the plot and only captures some of the play's remarkable depth.  As with King Charles III, Rupert Goold's direction is subtle and filled with scenes of theatrical brilliance.  Victoria Hamilton of The Crown fame leads this taut company of actors (mostly unknown to be prior to this performance) and delivers a performance that is at once hysterical in its dryness and, almost in the same breath, very moving.

After seeing The Ferryman the evening before, I was leery of sitting through another three hour plus play (I have to admit, I found The Ferryman to be a bit of a slog and the final scene really didn't provide the necessary payoff to justify a three and a half hour play), but Albion simply flew by.

I'm really hoping for a transfer of this one....the in the round staging would be a perfect fit for Circle in the Square.  I'm sure a transfer to the West End is a near certainty and encourage everyone to see this remarkably beautiful play.

[Harriet Craig]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 6:42pm

Thanks for the review, Play Esq. I was already interested in the play after reading the reviews in the UK papers and the comments on theatreboard.co.uk, and your review whets my appetite even more. 

I have been hoping for a West End transfer that will still be running next June, which is the next time I'll be in London. But from everything I have read about the play, its concerns sound so specifically English, I wonder if a Broadway transfer would work. Maybe a limited run, like King Charles III (but even that play had a bit more appeal to Americans because of the British monarchy angle). What do you think?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/23/17 at 9:31pm

Hello Harriet.

This won't read "prestige piece" as King Charles III did, but it is equally great (perhaps more so in that it doesn't rely on well known figures and iambic pentameter).  It is VERY British, but it's also very accessible.  I lived in the UK and generally spend a lot of time there, and was concerned that a play called "Albion" (or, the oldest name for the UK) would be accessible, but I simply adored it.  

As a New Yorker (attorney), I related so much to the themes of town and country.  The "London Ladder" is no different from the "New York Ladder"...once your leave, you'll never be able to return the same way again.  

I feel the play is very accessible and the themes will work in New York.  Maybe an off-broadway run makes more sense, but I really really want at least Hamilton to transfer  and I doubt she'd do so for a non-broadway run.

Updated On: 10/23/17 at 09:31 PM