Inspired by true events, The Wanderers makes its UK premiere at the Marylebone Theatre, following its run in New York (starring Katie Holmes) and across the US. Written by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Anna Ziegler, the play delves into the complexities of love, faith, and identity through the intertwined lives of two Brooklyn couples across different time periods.
On one side are Esther and Schmuli, an Orthodox Jewish couple bound by tradition and strict community expectations. On the other are Sophie (Paksie Vernon) and Abe (Alexander Forsyth), a secular pair seemingly free to shape their own destinies, with prize-winning novelist Abe embarking on a risky correspondence with a movie star (Anna Popplewell) that threatens both his marriage and career. A significant twist in the second act ties their stories together in a surprising way.
The story is told largely through the perspective of Abe, who divides the narrative into chapters around themes such as marriage, fathers and sons and betrayal, giving the audience access to his inner monologue as both writer and character. The cast of five all deliver stellar performances, with Katerina Tannenbaum and Eddie Toll as Esther and Schmuli the standouts with strong chemistry portraying a delicate blend of tenderness and complexity in their relationship.
Jan Pappelbaum's set design centres around themes of transparency and transformation and keeps the action moving with actors drawing on clear surfaces delineating scene changes. Everyday props are cleverly used to construct a living, breathing world, from domestic interiors to a recreation of the Brooklyn Bridge crafted from string. This sense of openness on stage contrasts sharply with the guarded inner lives of the characters, who struggle to reveal their truths to one another.
Alex Musgrove's lighting design and Sasha Ageeva's costumes complement the storytelling.
Director Igor Golyak has assembled a strong cast, and the production achieves moments of genuine poignancy and reflection, though at times it loses some momentum. On opening night, certain moments of tension drew unintended laughter, slightly undercutting the emotional stakes the play works hard to build.
Despite these occasional missteps, The Wanderers remains an engaging and thoughtful production anchored by strong performances.
It runs until 29 November
Review: Lola Phillips Photos: Mark Senior