Onassis

Onassis at Novello Theatre

I am very rich. It cuts the seduction time considerably.

Aristotle Onassis

Why see Onassis?

Aristotle Onassis, millionaire at 25.

Inspired by the true story of the relationships between Onassis, his lover Maria Callas and wife Jackie Kennedy, this is an extraordinary account of one man's voracious appetite for sex, money and power - how those with great wealth and political influence live their lives detached from the moral code and realities of ordinary mortals.

Robert Lindsay stars as Onassis alongside a stellar cast. First performed to great acclaim at Chichester's Minerva Theatre, this explosive new play by Martin Sherman opens in the West End at the Novello Theatre this September for a strictly limited season.

Key Information

Audience

Onassis contains strong language and scenes of a sexual nature and is suitable for audiences aged 16 and upwards.

Dates

Finished 8 Jan 2011

Cast

Robert Lydnsay as Aristotle Onassis
Lydia Leonard as Jackie Kennedy
Anna Francolini as Maria Callas
Tom Austen as Alexandro
Liz Crowther as Eleni
Ben Grove as Musician
Robert Hastie as Theo
John Hodgkinson as Yanni
Sue Kelvin as Dimitria
Graeme Taylor as Musician
Gawn Grainger as Costa

Creative

Written by Martin Sherman, based on the book 'Nemesis' by Peter Evans
Directed by Nancy Meckler
Music by: Ilona Sekacz
Sound: John Leonard
Lighting designer: Ben Ormerod
Choreographer: Lizzi Gee
Designer: Katrina Lindsay

Reviews

Customer reviews

18 reviews, average rating: (3.9 Stars)

Beth

The allure of Robert Lindsay as Onassis

What Onassis does very well is warn of the dangers of the allure of power and money. Martin Sherman’s play allows us the frivolous fun of playing voyeur to Onassis’s famous affairs with Maria Callas and Jackie Kennedy. But then his circling shark to draw us into a very dark world indeed. It’s intriguing and engaging. Robert Lindsay charms as Onassis. He balances a complex character by using humour and charisma to sweeten an undertone of violence. He meticulously positions his Aristotle as a ‘classic’ – somewhere on the longitude of ‘classic clown’ and the latitude of ‘classic wife beater’. A stunningly simple stage design features a surround of glittering water with a back-projection of crashing waves. Lindsay uses the pool of water on stage like Pontius Pilate, cleansing himself of his sins; and we all know what happens to sailors who follow the Siren’s song! Highly recommended! ... Read more

Juliet2

An evening that left me on a high

It would seem that this is a play that you either love or hate. I absolutely loved it. The acting was impressive throughout and more than held the attention. I especially enjoyed the flirtatious scenes between Onassis and Jackie Kennedy, and the exchanges between father and son - two people as different as chalk from cheese. There is so much in this play - shocking historical revelations, strong emotions, echoes of Greek tragedy, harmonious music and a taste of the warmth of a sunny beach and deep blue waters. I left the theatre on a natural high, buoyed up with the memories of a first-class evening of theatre and pondering on Jackie Kennedy's reflection that the new generation of politicians are all disappointingly "vanilla" - so much less colourful and interesting than those she knew so well... ... Read more

Jehona

Fantastic performance

Onassis was one of the most overwhelming play I have ever seen. It consists high level of emotions including humour, amusement, and sadness. Greek music has touched me as it took me back in my happy childhood, in time when I visited the land with my family. The play was very inspiring and I am glad to have had an opportunity to learn something I haven't known before. I would recommend highly the play to be seen. ... Read more
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