Press Invite
I’ve never been one to jump on trends early, so it seems appropriate that I attended the hottest show in town during its third run in London, now at The Gillian Lynne Theatre. With only 17 weeks of performances scheduled, you barely have time to read this post—just hurry over and grab your ticket!
What is The Lehman Trilogy About?
On a chilly September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on the docks of New York, dreaming of a new life in America. Soon, his two brothers join him, setting in motion an American epic. Fast forward 163 years, the firm they built—Lehman Brothers—collapses into bankruptcy, initiating the largest financial crisis in history. This New York Times Critics’ pick masterfully intertwines nearly two centuries of family history, illustrating the humble beginnings, incredible successes, and catastrophic failures of a financial institution that brought the global economy to its knees.
This play sheds light on the evolution of banking, ultimately leading to the financial crisis we all remember, and it presents this history in a way that is both accessible and engaging. I learned a great deal—it’s essentially a crash course in banking history—but it never felt dull or overwhelming. That’s because The Lehman Trilogy is not just about finance; it’s fundamentally about people.
In an era when the ‘American Dream’ wasn’t yet the rallying cry it is today, the Lehman brothers embodied what it meant to build a career from nothing. Unfortunately, their extraordinary rise culminated in an even more extraordinary fall. When Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in 2008, they reported over $600 billion in liabilities, marking the largest bankruptcy filing in history—a staggering figure that still boggles the mind.
Adapted from the original work by Stefano Massini by Ben Power and directed by the multi-Academy Award®, Tony Award®, and Golden Globe winner Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy features a remarkable cast of three actors who portray the Lehman brothers, as well as their sons and grandsons, in an epic narrative that unfolds over three parts in a single evening.
The cast of The Lehman Trilogy includes Michael Balogun as Emanuel Lehman, Hadley Fraser as Mayer Lehman, and Nigel Lindsay as Henry Lehman. The combined talent of these actors, along with the groundbreaking set design, contributes to one of the most captivating plays I’ve ever witnessed, even at a runtime of three hours and 15 minutes with two intervals.
I thoroughly enjoyed the show and strongly recommend that you see it. Just remember, it’s at The Gillian Lynne Theatre, not The National Theatre at Southbank, to avoid a frantic dash across the river at the last minute! (Trust me—the struggle is real!).
