After The Applause

After having previously seen a cold read experimental performance at The Young Vic through Oak Tree and been left very disappointed, I felt apprehensive upon booking Echo at the Royal Court Theatre. However after doing my research and seeing Nassim Soleimanpour’s many accolades, I decided to give his play a chance. Unlike Oak Tree the performers were announced in a schedule and when I saw James Corden’s name on the list it was a no brainer! Will James do what Phoebe didn’t?, will the applause be riotous or pitiful? Just some of the many questions that rushed through my head as the lights went down in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs and the play began.

It got off to a great start, a chance for the performer to introduce themselves via a pre-recorded voice, asking them questions like ‘how are they feeling?’. Corden is great at this, he answers with his signature sarcastic humour and the tension in the air is immediately removed. When asked to remove his socks and shoes in place of some black sandals he is baffled (as was I) but follows the instructions.

Nassim appears via a video call from the safety of his apartment in Berlin and has a brief chat with Corden about the contents of the play. This is a funny light-hearted exchange that felt really natural. Nassim explains that the modern set is meant to be a replica of his apartment and those sandals he has on are the same as Nassim’s. We quickly understand that Corden will be the mouthpiece of Nassim tonight and he is the embodiment of the writer on the stage.

From the moment Corden begins it is utterly captivating. He reads ahead and has gestures for each word. Each sentence is nuanced with heaps of emotion as if the story he is telling is his own and it is simply masterful. I didn’t understand the point of Nassim’s video call at the beginning, but as the play unravels you can tell that this has been superbly written in a way that unfolds and expands, covering some deep topics and themes such as immigration and feeling out of place. Corden is plunged into a scene in which he is talking to an Iranian immigration officer, this is paired with Jackie Shemesh’s harsh and bright lighting to turn the stage into an office. James plays into the words, taking his time and stumbling to demonstrate fear, it was a brilliant scene and he acts it out so well.

The play is deeply emotional, it seems Nassim has poured his heart into this script, and Corden completely understands the assignment and puts his heart into each lengthy monologue he reads. I cried during a monologue where Nassim describes life as a play that we only get to perform once, a beautiful line that I will carry with me. The whole 80 minutes I was in that theatre was enjoyable, and the ending is so cleverly and technically done to project Nassim and James live on stage together. It was just flawless, from the writing to the lighting to the actor who had never even read the script!

MY VERDICT:

James Corden began the play with dollops of humour, to the point where I worried whether he was going to become serious but like a true professional he rolls his shoulders, cracks his fingers and begins. He is superb, it was such a joy to watch him on stage and he just really compliments the way that Nassim has crafted the play. When Corden stood to the side of the stage as leaves and snow were projected onto him as he spoke Nassim’s story on immigration, you can see him completely enthralled in how beautiful this whole production is. Compared to An Oak Tree this is much better, much more professional and well pieced together and it certainly helps to have a competent actor on stage (Phoebe Waller-Bridge take note!!).

I also have the pleasure of seeing this again on Saturday with my grandparents, but with a new unsuspecting performer (Juliet Stevenson) so there will be a second review and we will see what feelings she evokes from the script!

ECHO plays at the Royal Court until the 5th July when it embarks on a Tour with dates to be announced. Go and have a watch you will leave deeply moved!!