Review: The Lehman Trilogy

"The National Theatre and Neal Street Productions’ critically acclaimed, five-time Tony Award® winning production of The Lehman Trilogy has returned to London.  Following highly acclaimed international performances, new production images of the West End cast have just been released.  This ‘genuinely epic production' (New York Times), which has now been seen by over half a million people worldwide, is playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until 5 January 2025 for a strictly limited run.

Written by Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power and directed by multi-award-winning director, Sam Mendes with set design by Es Devlin, The Lehman Trilogy is a sweeping story of a family spanning generations and a company that changed the world.  Ali Berry completes the company as Understudy Pianist."

In 2008, the collapse of Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers, once considered “too big to fail,” shocked the world. This event triggered the global financial crisis and marks the starting point of Stefano Massini’s play The Lehman Trilogy, skillfully adapted by Ben Power: at the end.

The story then starts in 1844, when a young Jewish man named Henry Lehman comes to New York from Bavaria to seek his fortune, soon joined by his two brothers, Emanuel and Mayer. Together they create their namesake company. This is a story that covers 150 years and multiple generations of the Lehman family, all portrayed (along with many other characters) by only three highly talented actors, with live piano accompaniment.

A deeply moving narrative about immigrants' journey to America, highlighting the experience of leaving the familiar to seek improvement, chase a dream, and become someone. Isn't there a saying that 'America is a place where all things are possible'? It's a place full of contrasts and juxtapositions. It can be welcoming if you align with its ideals and perceived social constructs, or you can resolutely pursue your dream and vision regardless of the challenges.

And so the journey of the Lehman Brothers was such. Visiting foreign land to seek, create and build wealth and fortune.. A journey of innovation, perseverance, trust. A family led business whose vision evolved through many generations.

The performances were compelling, with narratives that were lengthy and detailed. Featuring only three main actors and a pianist, the set utilized dark shades of black and grey, contrasting with a backdrop of mist and striking symbolic statues depicting iconic American landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty. This all contributed to an atmosphere of corporate life, wealth, and family business.

British actor John Heffernan, who portrayed Henry Lehman, the eldest of The Lehman Brothers, in the play The Lehman Trilogy, delivered a solid performance. He is an incredibly multi-talented actor who took on several roles throughout the play, performing each with deft dexterity. He could be as humorous as he was serious.

Howard W. Overshown plays Emanuel Lehman, the middle brother. Having a formidable stance, he was the one who ventured out into the open abyss of ideals and vision, determined to pursue at all costs.

Aaron Krohn portrays the third brother, a remarkable character who transitions through multiple personas, from a child to a fiercely independent adult. All three actors perform their roles with such conviction that The Lehman Trilogy becomes not only a story of hope, persistence, and perseverance but also a narrative of how one man's vision, a family's dream, could leave a lasting impact. They established one of the most successful banking systems in the United States and worldwide, and ventured into building railroads and other investments.

Ali Berry, the Pianist, is the remarkable thread that intertwined her notes into the play's emotional crescendo, enhancing our experience and deepening our emotional connection to the highs and lows, from devastation to success.

In summary, the play explores themes of slavery, immigration, belonging, dreams, and family connections, all of which remain relevant today as they were in the past. The question to consider is whether it is America that makes people great or the individuals who arrive with nothing but a dream in their hearts and a determination to succeed.

Listings Information 

Dates: until 5 January 2025

Opening Night: 9 October 2024, 7pm

Website: TheLehmanTrilogy.com 

Address: Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW 

Performance Schedule: Mondays – Saturdays at 7pm, with matinees on Saturdays at 1pm**schedule may differ during previews and holidays, please see website for details

Assisted Performances:

Captioned Performances: Monday 28 October 7pm & Saturday 7 December 1pm

Audio Described Performances: Saturday 30 November 1pm & Friday 3 January 7pm

BSL Performances: Saturday 16th November 1pm

Tickets: From £20 

Box Office:  Book via lwtheatres.co.uk / call 020 3925 2998  (lines open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5:30pm)  Or via nationaltheatre.org.uk(lines open Monday to Saturday 9:30am – 8pm)  For Groups 10+ and Education 10+ contact LW Groups at: groups@gillianlynnetheatre.co.uk 

Running Time: 3 hours 20 minutes, including two intervals 

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Twitter and Facebook: @LehmanTrilogy

Instagram: @TheLehmanTrilogy