After a series of musical theatre trips, it is perhaps unsurprising that I found The Pride to be so hard-hitting. Writer Alexi Kaye Campbell’s first play won a variety of awards in 2008. This Royal Court original graduated to the West End after rave reviews; it is a niche production that is perhaps better suited to the smaller boutique stage… but nonetheless makes a lasting impression at Trafalgar Studios.
On press night Trafalgar Square was buzzing, a petite red carpet flattered the egos of the celebrities in attendance and paparazzi flashed away. PR-wise this play could not arrive at a better time, poignantly outlining the injustices homosexuals have had to overcome, as Russia struggles with similar issues. There was certainly a feeling of protest in the air, cemented when the cast took their final curtain call with ‘To Russia With Love’ placards.
Sitting in the third row of the stalls I found the action on stage startlingly painful at times, and noticed myself audibly gasping… testament to the effective writing and powerful acting. The play alternates between 1958 and 2008, leaping between the two wildly different eras harshly addressing the changes in attitude to homosexuality. We are immediately thrown into the love triangle of ‘happily married’ Sylvia and Philip and their creative friend Oliver. It is intense from the very start, we soon learn that Philip is a deeply closeted gay man while Oliver is more comfortable with his orientation. It is a story of discovery and denial as the characters battle with their situations and complicated feelings.
Soutra Gilmour’s stark set allows the characters to always be the focus of our attention. A vintage glass wall is the only permanent feature, reflecting the ever changing sequences on stage. Hayley Atwell is stunning as Sylvia giving a piercing but nuanced performance, Al Weaver is natural and confident on stage, Harry Hadden-Paton is alarmingly sensitive and convincing and Mathew Horne is utterly hysterical, they make a great team and seem to genuinely enjoy interacting together.
If the topic doesn’t interest you particularly still go and see The Pride for the brilliant acting, wonderful direction and beautiful writing.
Continues until 9 November, book here.