The Lehman Trilogy

This real-life drama plays out with poetic intensity
The Culture Whisper (National Theatre Production)
Why see The Lehman Trilogy?
the multi-winner award winner returns
After its sell-out success in London, on Broadway (where it won five 2022 Tony Awards) and beyond, this landmark play returns to the West End for the forth time, returning to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in autumn 2024.
Adapted from Stefano Massini's vast and poetic play and directed by Sam Mendes, Ben Power's The Lehman Trilogy depicts the journey of one group of men as they create one of the world's most powerful banks and, in turn, one of the world's largest financial crashes. John Heffernan, Aaron Krohn and Howard W. Overshown reprise their roles from the recent San Francisco production, in a collective performance that was described by the city's Mercury news in May 2024 as: "virtuosic, sculpting performances so rich and varied and surprising that you forget it's the same three men all the time."
What is the story?
A show depicting the successes and failures of three generations of Lehmans, beginning with Henry, Emanuel and Mayer, who came from Bavaria and settled in Alabama to make their fortune. The immigrant brothers and their descendants live a story of capitalism; they grapple with a rapidly changing society - one in demand of cotton, coffee, and railways - the next cigarettes, televisions and oil, navigating all the way up to their legacy's collapse into bankruptcy.
The saga of the Lehman brothers is a glimpse into the American dream; a fresh start in a country where anyone willing to demonstrate talent and inventiveness can have it all, but also in which over only a few turns can reverse fortunes and destinies. It charts the transformation of a family's identity, and with the trilogy staged over an extended period of history, it may well entice you to reflect on your own connections to the past.
Key Information
Run Time
Dates
Cast
- John Heffernan as Henry
- Aaron Krohn as Mayer
- Howard W. Overshown as Emanuel
- Valentine Hanson as understudy Emanuel Lehman
- Leighton Pugh as understudy Henry Lehman
- Simon Victor as Janitor and understudy Mayer Lehman
- Cat Beveridge as principal pianist
- Anyssa Neumann as alternate pianist
- Ali Berry will join as understudy pianist
Please note: The producers can't guarantee the appearance of any performers on any specific date.
Creative
- Directed by Sam Mendes
- Written by Stefano Massini
- Adapted by Ben Power
- Katrina Lindsay
- Luke Halls
- Jon Clark
- Nick Powell
Awards
2022 Tony Awards
- Best New Play
- Best Actor in a Play - Simon Russell Beale (original cast)
- Best Direction of a Play - Sam Mendes
- Best Scenic Design of a Play
- Best Lighting Design of a Play
2019 Olivier Awards
- Best Play
- Best Actor - Adam Gosley, Ben Miles & Simon Russell Beale (original cast)
- Best Director - Sam Mendes
- Best Set Design - Es Devlin
- Best Sound Design - Nick Powell
Reviews
Customer reviews
Jane
Loved it...