Review: The Lehman Trilogy
By Dan Bavister
★★★★★
The National Theatre and Neal Street production of The Lehman Trilogy, masterfully directed by Sam Mendes (The Motive and the Cue, The Hills of California), is currently playing a limited season at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End. Starring John Heffernan, Aaron Krohn, and Howard W. Overshown, the play chronicles the story of the Lehman brothers, their descendants, and the monumental rise and fall of a family whose enterprise would leave an indelible mark on global finance. Through this trio of actors, the audience witnesses generations of ambition, ingenuity, and ultimately, tragedy.
On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside, full of hope and eager to carve out a new life in the burgeoning New World. Soon, he is joined by his two brothers, and together they embark on an extraordinary journey that becomes the foundation of an American epic. Fast-forward 163 years, and the firm they established – Lehman Brothers – collapses spectacularly into bankruptcy, triggering the largest financial crisis in modern history.
The play’s staging is both strikingly minimalist and deeply symbolic. Set entirely within a suspended black box, its transparent glass walls glow with the stark light of a projected cityscape, evoking a sense of the cold, unrelenting march of progress. This confined space becomes a metaphorical world unto itself, where the play’s events unfold with a claustrophobic intensity reminiscent of Twelve Angry Men. Though the set never changes, the audience is taken on a sweeping journey that spans decades, continents, and seismic shifts in culture and power. The simplicity of the staging emphasises the play’s focus on the human story, while the surrounding cityscape serves as a constant reminder of the broader forces shaping their lives.
This is not merely a play about banking; it is about the essence of America itself, the world it has shaped, and the ideals it has both nurtured and betrayed
What makes The Lehman Trilogy particularly compelling is its deeply American essence. On one level, it is a triumphant ode to the boundless opportunities of the American Dream, celebrating the ingenuity and determination of those who dared to build something extraordinary. Yet, as the story progresses, that triumph is overshadowed by an elegiac sense of loss. The rise of the Lehman brothers is mirrored by their gradual decline and the ultimate collapse of their legacy, echoing the disillusionment that accompanies unchecked capitalism. The play’s narrative deftly transitions from a celebration of American enterprise to a poignant meditation on its fragility.
Throughout, the production brims with allegory. Like Moby-Dick, it is imbued with a sense of the metaphorical – a spectral undercurrent runs through every scene. This is not merely a play about banking; it is about the essence of America itself, the world it has shaped, and the ideals it has both nurtured and betrayed. The story of the Lehman family becomes a vessel for exploring the sweeping tides of history, capitalism, and the American vision of the world that has dominated the past century.
Leaving the theatre, one is left with a profound sense of awe. This production is not just a story; it is an experience, a visceral encapsulation of American history and self-conception. Its rhythms and cadences echo long after the final bow, evoking both admiration for its scope and melancholy for its themes. It is a consummate work that lingers in the mind as a potent reminder of the cycles of ambition, achievement, and collapse that define not only individuals but entire eras. I would highly recommend this production to any theatregoer in London this festive season. The Lehman Trilogy will be in performance at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until 5th January 2025. Tickets are available here.
Image credit: Amy Johnson via National Theatre Productions.
