REVIEW: Patriots (2022) 📍Almeida Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tom Hollander as Boris Berezovsky in Patriots. Photo credit: Marc Brenner

We are greeted with a darkened room with bright lights replicating a Russian bar. Stools are places to mimic a bar, and we can notice Russian letters. There’s an immediate transformation to one being fully immersed into a set (something that I really revel in), and fierce red lighting showcases very early on that this is going to be a play where things hot up. And hot up, they sure as hell do..

The play is directed by Rupert Goold, and tells the life of a billionaire who was a child genius. We meet his mother, and lo and behold – the life of a genius. It really is layered in a brilliant book (written by Peter Morgan) and that offers such a great insight for anyone not as au fait with the subject of Russian oligarchs and the rise of the current Premier Vladimir Putin. There’s a lot of tension, but ultimate the viewer is gripped by the action on stage — something that may not be the case with a topic such as politics. It was riveting, and the vivid direction and use of the space is to be hugely commended.

A stand-out performance comes from Will Keen as Putin, but also Jamael Westman – fresh from his turn originating the titularr role in the original West End production of Hamilton. The Scouse-accemt was spot-on, and we went on a journey of his character Litvenyenko – despite his sad and unfortunate demise. When he was on stage, it was really instantly believable and there depth to his character’s demise – which begins when he speaks out against the KGB in a press conference is luridly portrayed.

If you can get a ticket to this sold-out run, I really would run and leap at the chance. Check daily for returns. I love a piece that will have you thinking about it long after it’s ended. It is a superbly directed show, where the entire creative team have worked hard to create a masterful piece of theatre — and the entire cast’s efforts truly are shown.

Book tickets🎟: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/patriots/2-jul-2022-20-aug-2022

Almeida Theatre, Islington

Until 20 August.

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