Review: FORCE MAJEURE, Donmar Warehouse
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Based on an original screenplay by Ruben Östlund, this brand new play brilliantly walks the line between comedy and genuine drama. Exploring the fragility of masculinity within the modern family dynamic, utilising a brilliant cast, creative design and massive scale, all within a small 250 seat theatre.
We open on a middle class "Dad, Mum and 2+1/2 kids" family arriving at a ski resort for their family holiday. Everything seems wonderful. The dynamic created onstage by the cast is perfectly that of a family; brilliantly awkward, thanks to the naturalistic script written by Tim Price and slick direction by Michael Longhurst.
It's only when the family patriarch Tomas (Rory Kinnear) abandons his family to "run away screaming" from a controlled avalanche that seems to be life threatening. Luckily, it isn't, and everyone is unharmed. However, Tomas has begun an avalanche of his own, as the play continues to explore the fallout of his actions.
Kinnear is superb, at first denying what he did and then taking you on an emotional journey that you can't help but feel slight pity for, as his wife Ebba (Lyndsey Marshall) begins a self discovery journey of her own. The chemistry, and sometimes lack-of between the pair, is electric. If you haven't previously seen the film, you'll be kept guessing as to where their relationship is going next.
Joining them is a brilliant supporting cast, Sule Rimi and Siena Kelly as "Skiing Buddy's" are an excellent tonic to the main conflict, as they explore their own issues with brilliant comedic energy. The ensemble cast as well, especially Karim Odoom, bring a certain energy to skiing that has never been seen before. You'll understand when you see the show - they are hilarious.
Whilst you've been reading this review, you must be thinking "Skiing?? In a small venue like the Donmar??" And you'd be right to think that, we had our doubts going in. But designer Jon Bausor has brought a brilliant scale to the piece. Allowing performers to launch across a slanted stage and fly right by the audience. The show is immersive in more ways than you could expect. And the solution to the "avalanche" is pure theatre magic. The slant to the stage also ensures that performers are constantly fighting to stay upright, much like the family's struggle to stay together and get back to how things were. The stage is brilliantly lit by Lucy Carter's vivid design, enhancing the scale of the piece wonderfully.
It all leaves you questioning yourself. The script is so full of nuance that you're able to read between the lines of everything and wonder... what would you do? What would you do if you were faced with a life threatening traumatic experience. Grab your phone and run, or attempt to save those around you?
Force Majeure answers these questions with both nuance and hilarity until 5 February at the Donmar Warehouse.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Callum Wallace
For more information and to book tickets, please click here.
