Review: THE LAST ONES, Jermyn Street Theatre

Anthony Biggs presents the UK premiere of Maxim Gorky's 1908 The Last Ones in a highly dramatic and touching production that nevertheless feels ultimately insubstantial.

Ivan Kolomiitsev, a corrupt ex-police chief, fears for his life after a failed assassination by terrorists. After years of cheating and gambling, he is forced to move his family into his brother's house, whose wealth they now depend on. Little by little, secrets are revealed as his offspring start to question their father's virtue and see their world fall apart.

The play details the complicated web of this Russian household, but lacks resounding depth, in spite of the brilliantly heartfelt work of the cast. Daragh O'Malley, Louise Gold and Tim Woodward (playing Ivan, his wife Sonya and his brother Yakov respectively) do outstanding work in their power exchange, the upset balance between them well conveyed.

The Kolomiitsevs' crumbling marriage, silently marred by a disabled child and probable affairs on both sides, leads into their children's broken paths. As the offspring, Tom Colley, Emily Woodward, Annabel Smith, Kirsten Obank and Andrew Still feed off one another's pain and misery, while retaining their own individual interpretations.

Biggs' direction is sometimes too forceful, rather than letting Gorky's characters breathe on their own. His penchant for placing the action downstage can be a tad irksome, particularly when combined with the play's slow pacing.

The intriguing set design by Cecelia Trono, however, is impressive: the ongoing conflict is reflected in the torn and damaged wallpaper and carpet, the packed suitcases lying around ready for a swift flight. Sherry Coenen's lighting and Yvonne Gilbert's sound design also contribute: the latter's use of aircraft sounds paired with radio signals and audio snippets immediately places the audience in the specific period, while Coenen supplies mood changes throughout with a variation of cold and warm spotlights.

"My children, my babes, my last ones" mourns the family nurse, and as Biggs' last effort as Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre, this feels like an imperfect but heartfelt farewell.

The Lat Ones runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until 1 July.

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