Barcelona
Review by Sam
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lynette Linton returns to the Duke Of York’s Theatre to direct Bess Wohl’s explosive two-hander, exploring who we pretend to be, versus the truth of who we are.
Marking their west end debut, Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte as Irene and Manuel in this seductive thriller. What begins as a one-night stand between an Ameircan tourist and a handsome Spaniard, slowly unravels into a surprising mystery. With each truth uncovered, the play becomes increasingly gripping with Wohl’s writing and cutting humour shining throughout. Linton’s expert direction elevates the text, as both work in perfect harmony to deliver this story. However, the narrative can at times feel slow, with some moments struggling to resolve. I appreciate that this builds suspense, however the first 20 minutes in particular could have been tighter.
Both Collins and Morte excel in their west end debuts, dazzling with their cinematic performances and electric chemistry from the moment they step onto the stage. Morte in particular gives a transformative performance that strengthens as his character grows. He doesn’t leave the stage for a single beat and often steals scenes from the equally talented Collins. There are numerous moments of great humour scattered throughout Wohl’s gripping script, with Morte getting the biggest of laughs from his sarcastic delivery. His rant regarding Irene’s comparison to Cameron Diaz was a stand out, delivered with precision by both performers in unison.
The poster and ad’s for the play have been cinematic in style, and the show more than lives up to this. It boasts gorgeous lighting design by Jai Morjaria, who seamlessly transitions the set from night to day whilst allowing ‘natural’ window light to richly flood the stage. This pairs perfectly with Gino Ricardo Green’s hauntingly beautiful projections, which are amplified by the electric central performances.
Barcelona is your favourite rom-com and thriller all rolled into one. The direction, writing and performances mix to make a perfect blend with an equally talented creative team to boast.