BWW Reviews: LEE HARVEY OSWALD, Finborough Theatre, November 4 2013

Was Lee Harvey Oswald a lone gunman as he took aim at JFK from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository on November 22nd 1963, or was he the scapegoat for a cover-up by the FBI, CIA or a Mafia conspiracy?

The award-winning Finborough Theatre's new show, "A far mean streak of independence brought on by negleck," (the title gets its name from an extract of Oswald's diary) doesn't try and answer the 50-year-old question of innocence but instead gives an insight into Oswald's motives; a fascination with communist countries, a volatile relationship with his wife and mother and a grudge against a state which promised a better lifestyle for him and his Russian wife but quite never delivered.

Michael Hastings' 1966 play is set as Marina (Lee's Russian wife) and Marguerite (Lee's mother) are being questioned by a commission about their knowledge of Lee's involvement of the assassination.

The scenes shift constantly between the interrogation and the private home of the Oswalds to witness first hand the relationships between mother, wife and son.

At times these transitions are a little clunky but that is probably due to the tiny stage and design than any fault of the script (the show is a Sunday/Monday/Tuesday production meaning they use the set of the Finborough's main show).

Oswald's questionable character is brilliantly played by Adam Gillen who rages between charming and childlike to moments of uncontrolled violence.

I couldn't take my eyes off Gemma Lawrence playing Marina Oswald who constantly twisted at her wedding ring as she struggled not only with English pronunciation of words but with her husband who brought her to the land of the free in the first place; and their physical fights are uncomfortable to watch.

What would 2013 been like if Kennedy hadn't been shot on that fateful day in 1963? Would there still have been a Vietnam War? Would the race riots have happened? With the anniversary of his death fast approaching it is perhaps best to see this show and ponder on those questions rather than whether Oswald acted alone, as that knowledge has long been buried.

Sunday/Monday/Tuesday until November 22
£14; £10 concessions

To post a comment, you must register and login.