From Cotton to Collapse: The Lehman Trilogy Illuminates 160 Years of Ambition and Ruin

November 24, 2024
Theatre

The Lehman Trilogy at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, previously on stage at The National Theatre, is a breathtaking exploration of the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers, masterfully directed by Sam Mendes. Spanning over 160 years, this play traces the transformation of the Lehman family business from a modest cotton trading company in Alabama to a financial empire that eventually crumbled, triggering the 2008 global financial crisis. Adapted by Ben Power from Stefano Massini’s original Italian text, the play has been skillfully condensed into a gripping three-hour performance that never overstays its welcome​.

Photo Credit: Kevin Berne

The production is driven by a cast of just three actors—John Heffernan, Aaron Krohn, and Howard W. Overshown—who perform an impressive array of characters, from the Lehman brothers themselves to their wives, children, and a host of other figures. The actors switch effortlessly between roles, using minimal props and subtle gestures to bring the entire history of the Lehman family to life. The performances are captivating, with each actor portraying the complexities of the characters and the shifting tides of their fortunes​.

Es Devlin's set design is another standout feature, consisting of a rotating glass cube that evokes both a corporate boardroom and the debris of the fallen Lehman empire. The set’s minimalism complements the narrative’s sweeping historical scope, with Luke Halls’ video projections of cotton fields, Wall Street, and the ocean adding atmospheric depth to the story​.The use of cardboard boxes, a nod to the fallout of the 2008 collapse, is clever and symbolic, morphing into everything from podiums to the pillars of the New York Stock Exchange​.

Photo Credit: Kevin Berne

What makes the play particularly powerful is its focus not just on the Lehmans as businessmen, but as immigrants navigating the ever-changing American landscape. The brothers' journey from humble Bavarian Jews to the creators of a financial behemoth mirrors the tumultuous rise of capitalism in America. As their business grows, so does their distance from their origins and traditions, a theme that resonates through the generations​.

Photo Credit: Kevin Berne

While the third act feels a little rushed, covering the period from the 1929 Wall Street Crash to the bank’s collapse in 2008, the play remains a riveting, emotionally charged narrative of ambition, family, and the dangers of unchecked capitalism. The Lehman Trilogy is a tour de force of storytelling that combines historical drama with a sharp critique of the financial world​.

This epic production, with its meticulous attention to detail and brilliant performances, is a must-see for those fascinated by the intersection of history, family, and finance.

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