An impossible task; to confine an entire financial history to the stage. And yet, onstage at the Gillian Lynne Theatre over the course of three astonishing acts totalling an epic three and a half hours, everything is laid bare - the story of the family who created, observed, crashed and ruined everything. 

It's a story of which most of us will know snippets, bits of knowledge that span centuries and may initially seem unrelated, yet here they are combined to reveal the full picture. The birth, life and now subsequent eroding of Capitalism as a concept and as a system. To read that now is to imagine something huge, and yet Stefano Massini's novel and Ben Powers' adaptation has found the language, the metaphors, and poetic devices to allow audiences access to understanding what happened within the confines of the brothers Lehman.

The play's three act structure allows for the epic scale of storytelling, and for seeds to be planted that grow into satisfying pay offs further down the line, such as the image of a tightrope walker, that begins and ends Act 2 in the most satisfying way. It's a masterclass in combining writing and direction; Massini & Powers' words, paired with the ambitious vision of Sam Mendes make for a performance that feels crafted - laboured over, in which nothing is done without a reason or purpose. We, as an audience, become almost hypnotised at points by this fully formed vision that ebbs and flows with measured and calculated steps that are disguised in naturalism. What presents as simple is, in fact, beyond precise. 

What is also special about this piece is the fact it is made inherently theatrical. There are just three performers playing members of this family that control the world’s finances and we are sat powerless at their decisions that grow to affect everything. It's quite fitting really, as Es Devlin's set rotates, it is as if the entire world rotates around just this one office. Surrounded by an LED wall spanning the entire backdrop, allowing for Luke Halls' elegant and monochrome video design to blend perfectly with the storytelling.

The cast of three (in this production made up of Hadley Fraser, Michael Balogun and Nigel Lindsay) all take on numerous roles throughout the story, simply by changing their physicality or accent with a snap, and often taking the roll of omniscient narrators recounting this story with an ever-present seriousness that still allows for humour here and there. You can't help but watch them as all three ooze enigmatic stage presence and charisma; having the ability to drive the pace of this play to the point where you'll be drawn right to the edge of your seat .

The Lehman Trilogy truly is an example of every aspect of a production complimenting the other perfectly. There's an exciting sense of brilliance that surrounds this piece of theatre that feels truly crafted. We cannot recommend it enough!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace

The Lehman Trilogy is currently booking at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre until 20 May, with tickets available here.