Read reviews of Nasim Soleimanpour’s dramas echorunning at the Royal Court until 27th July.
Performing at this year’s LIFT Festival echo (Ruthless oxygen) is Iranian playwright Nasim Soleimanpour’s latest experimental play, which challenges well-known actors to take to the stage without knowing anything about the play they are about to perform.
During its three-week run, the production features a talented cast that includes Monica Dolan, Jessica Gunning, and Toby Jones. Guided by the script and earphones, the actors navigate the playwright’s narrative journey as if they were connected live to his Berlin apartment. Soleimanpour herself is on-screen throughout, spirited, thoughtful, and highly likeable.
On the night of the press conference, Adrian Lester embarked on a journey into the unknown. He declared that he had no idea what was going to happen, and that even if he had looked into it, he would not know. The result was a testament to Lester’s natural talent. He was calm, controlled, fluent and consistent throughout.
His mellifluous voice brings the author’s words to life; their spontaneity and slight danger are palpable, yet Lester also sounds as if he’s rehearsed them countless times. Despite the obvious difficulties, he gives the work an almost meditative quality. It will be interesting to see how other performers engage with this material.
Now living in Berlin, Soleimanpour was unable to leave his native Iran for many years as a conscientious objector, unable to fulfill his country’s mandatory national service. He tells the story of an actor who left his family behind in Iran, touching on the political dangers faced by ordinary people, the immigrant experience, and what home really means.
With shifting timelines, locations and flashbacks, the lines of who is an actor and who is a writer are often blurred — this is a deeply meta and immersive theatrical experience.
echo It’s an ode to memory, home, time, family, conflict, friendship, love and hope. Part theatre, part conversation, part poetry reading, with illusions and metaphysical theatre thrown in. There are projections, livestreams and camera tricks. It’s too much to cram into 80 minutes, and it feels a little overwhelming at times. And perhaps this is the point, because what Soleimanpour has been through is certainly overwhelming.
In contrast to the recent Maggie Nelson film adaptation, Blues, echo The venue is a stripped-down replica of Soleimanpour’s study, but it also has several giant screens displaying live and pre-recorded footage.
Even in this age of onstage screens, video designer Derek Richards still creates beautiful moments with blowing leaves and swirling constellations, with actors moving in and around the screens, almost becoming part of the projected image.
“We want to support the brave writers who are driving us forward,” said David Byrne, the Royal Court’s new artistic director. echo Surely that noble desire will be fulfilled.
echo It runs at the Royal Court until 27 July. echo London theatre tickets.
Photo credit: ECHO (Photo by Manuel Harlan)
