After a much-awaited re-opening, The first show to open the newly refurbed Donmar Warehouse was always going to carry tremendous pressure to set the bar for future shows to follow. Cordelia Lynn’s ‘Love And Other Acts Of Violence’ not only opened it tremendously but set the bar at such a height that productions to follow will struggle to raise it.
Basia Binkowska’s staging first and foremost, is incredibly clever. A simple wooden flooring surround by dirt transforms later into a much more detailed design. Suspended above and unbeknown to us the surprise is clever and elevates the story to a whole new level when the scenes change.
As for the show itself, a young Jewish physicist (Her - Abigail Weinstock) and a left-wing poet (Him/man - Tom Mothersdale) who meet at a party may sound like the start of a bad joke… but as society collapses around them they struggle with their relationship and the demise continues to become more evident throughout the show, it’s quite clearly no laughing matter.
The duo deserves high applause indeed. Both delivering standout performances. Mothersdale creates an energetic and frantic display of his character, we side with him throughout, though once his eventual controlling and manipulative colours show we begin to question why we ever sided in the first place, it takes for a very skilled actor to do that. As for Weinstock’s character, she’s devastatingly vulnerable as to many controlling relationships we’re aware of, we sit there in sympathy as she brushes over the many moments to run from the relationship but decided to stay, to quote his character ‘It has to get worse to get better. However her journey is powerful, her discovery of self-worth becomes uplifting and inspiring shown through her emotional acting ability. For the pair to be on an empty stage for almost an hour together needed chemistry and engaging acting to keep us engrossed, we certainly got that and then some. 
What’s so clever with the show and recognition to director Elayce Ismail also, is how the societal and political issues that were all so very real are portrayed through the relationship. The Pogrom is not only shown historically in the show but in the relationship involving the metaphorical suffocation of a Jewish lady from her Polish man. It’s an eye-opener to the struggles people have faced in their past, and to those who suffer in silence still. Be it leaving behind a partner or a country, the magnitude is just the same. Lynn’s play is poignant and thought-provoking from start to finish.
Review by George Butler
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: Circle A21 | Price of Ticket: £45
