Review: BEN AND IMO, Swan Theatre RSC
Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz
We open to the sounds of a serene Suffolk coastline, with a grand piano taking centre stage and a small model house atop of the fall board. Ben and Imo is a seemingly classic 50s tale of gender dynamics centred around the famous composer, conductor and pianist Benjamin Britten and the lesser known Imogen Holst.
The year is 1952 and Benjamin Britten has been commissioned to write a grand opera for the coronation of Elizabeth II. He has invited Imogen Holst (daughter of Gustav Holst, the great composer) to assist him at his residence in Aldeburgh, on the coast. During this time she resists any attempt to curb her freedom. But as they develop the piece over an intense 9 months she is drawn in against her will.
Ben is portrayed as alternately, needy and cold. Despite this, Samuel Barnett plays him in a balanced and humorous manner, helping us to understand why Imogen is so drawn to him to begin with. We are charmed by Imo from the get go, a humble yet wonderfully talented teacher and woman full of life and daring. Imo is willing to make sacrifices to help others achieve their best whereas Ben is self driven and focused on his own work. Imo’s likability makes Ben’s vicious outbursts all the more jarring and hurtful. Of course what they do have in common is their love and dedication to music. Victoria Yeates, who plays Imo, has a wonderful vulnerability and boy can she dance! In the first half we are treated to a variety of dances she has learnt to inspire Ben’s composition and as he plays the piano she moves with grace, control and humour across the small stage. Both actors look wonderful dressed in post war shabby glamour, a constant reminder of the era this friendship takes place.
As the first half comes to a close, a touching scene involving an exchanging of Christmas gifts arrives. Imo presents Ben with a children’s choir outside of the door, a prerecorded track is used, yet it feels so emotive and due to the slight distorted quality of the track rather nostalgic. We then hear Yeates singing a Christmas carol, with a haunting and pure voice to finish the first half as the waves crash down onto the house. A great use of live and pre recorded sound.
As mentioned, the piano is a dominant presence on stage and yet is hardly ever played. For a play about music there is limited live music, when the two move around stage a live piano is played. When Ben does play the piano it is beautiful but intermittent and leaves the audience waiting and expecting more. Don’t expect too much music or plot. At its core Ben and Imo is a two person play about a captivating and fascinating friendship of a lonely genius and a remarkable woman, ahead of her time.
*** Three Stars
Reviewed by Sophie Eaton
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