National Theatre Live: The Lehman Trilogy (UK) @ Sie 12pm

"The story of a family and a company that changed the world, told in three parts on a single evening.

On a cold September morning in 1844 a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside. Dreaming of a new life in the new world. He is joined by his two brothers and an American epic begins.

163 years later, the firm they establish – Lehman Brothers – spectacularly collapses into bankruptcy, and triggers the largest financial crisis in history." —NationalTheatre.org.uk

Review:
"In a talk at the Armory, director Sam Mendes described how the original staging of The Lehman Trilogy featured a dozen actors. He eventually whittled the cast to the three men, who collectively play some 70 characters, and these transformations occur with no costume changes. Modulating their bodies and voices, they become women, children and decrepit old men. Beale's turn as a dyspeptic rabbi schooling the independent-minded 9-year-old Herbert Lehman — who would grow up to be a legendary New York senator and governor — is one of the comedic highlights of the play. (...)

(...) It is perhaps a testament to the power of the storytelling that even though the implosion of the firm happens in a rushed 20 minutes, it doesn't detract from the play's emotional heft. The writing is lyrical: The newly-arrived Henry describes the bustle that greets him when he gets off the boat as 'the magical music box called America.' When Bobbie Lehman creates a trading desk, one of the older Jewish investors visits the room where men yell out numbers and stocks, and ruefully remarks on how far the firm has evolved away from 'velvet and cuff links.'

What stands out most in this production are the troika of actors. They are almost never absent from the stage during the nearly 3 1/2 hour production. They were collectively nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor, the British equivalent of the Tonys. That seems fitting, because working together — dressed in stark costumes, with minimal props — they manage to make worlds come alive." —Alexandra Starr (NPR review)

Running Time: 3hrs 20mins including two 15min intervals

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66vAn9prpS8

Tickets ($15 DFS; $18 GA):
https://secure.denverfilm.org/tickets/buy.aspx?FID=84&ID=56576

Post-Discussion:
After the play, we'll gather somewhere for drinks and conversation. I'm open to suggestions.
If you'd like to join the discussion without attending the play, just let us know in the comments.