The Almeida Theatre never fails to impress. In recent years, it has managed to brilliantly blur the lines between theatre and politics. Cold War is no exception and this new musical tells a beautifully bleak story that traverses decades and travels across borders as it celebrates the power of music, theatre and human connection.

Cold War is an adaptation of Paweł Pawlikowski’s 2018 Oscar-nominated film. Conor McPherson’s script has been paired with traditional Polish folk music and songs from Grammy-nominated Elvis Costello to tell the epic love story of Zula (Anya Chalotra) and Wictor (Luke Thallon). This poignant and passionate tale begins in 1949 when singer Zula auditions for pianist Wiktor as he tours post-war Poland collecting folk music for a state-sponsored show. They are instantly drawn to one another but, of course, in this time of great division, the stakes are high and our two protagonists have secrets. As twenty years pass, we discover whether love can triumph even in the darkest of times.

Cold War would be best described as a play with music. In this production, music is as central to the storytelling as it is a fundamental part of Polish culture. The songs range from traditional folk to rock n roll, and are sung in multiple languages but they are all cleverly weaved throughout the story. Zula’s role as a singer means the majority of the songs are performed as part of the narrative which allows them to achieve an incredible level of emotional exploration. Throughout the show, we hear ‘I Do (Zula’s Song)’ and with each rendition, a new layer of our troubled lead is revealed.

So many musicals are flashy and extravagant but Cold War is beautifully understated and naturalistic. Rupert Goold’s fluid direction, paired with Jon Bausor’s set and Evie Gurney’s costumes, transport us from scene to scene and immerse us in the period with ease. The first half especially is sensationally slick as we travel from Poland to Paris but sadly the second half slows as the music is less frequent and the themes get darker.

This is definitely not an uplifting show but it will certainly make you feel something. Cold War embraces the trials and hardships of Soviet life in particular, and there is no happy ending but there are moments of laughter and light. Ellen Kane’s expressive and energetic choreography really shines in the first half. There are some gorgeous vocal and acting performances from the ensemble who morph into a multitude of characters. The performance of Elvis Costello’s ‘What Is It That I Need That I Don’t Already Have?’ is a particular highlight.

At its core, Cold War is a story about the price of belonging and the cost of hiding your true self from yourself and others. Anya Chalotra and Luke Thallon capture the melancholy nature of the Soviet world. They are exceptional as tragic lovers, Zula and Wictor. Chalotra's acting talents are well known but her vocals are a revelation. She is fantastically fearless as the bold Zula and her chemistry with Luke Thallon as the tortured Wictor is truthful and tangible. Elliot Levey is brilliant as the quietly menacing tour manager Kaczmarek but unfortunately, his character’s London accent demonstrates one of the few flaws of this exquisite production. This show centres so heavily on identity, however, the actors use their own British accents. When the setting moves to Paris, there are occasions when our Polish leads are misunderstood and ostracised but by an actor with the same accent, which interrupts the flow and impact. Despite this, Goold has harnessed the medium of theatre to explore necessary and nuanced topics and tell this haunting and human story.

Cold War is another outstanding production by the Almeida. Utterly compelling and unique.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Sophie Luck

Cold War plays at the Almeida Theatre until 27 January 2024, with further information here.