★★★★

“the cast cycle through characters with impressive dynamism”

The memes are everywhere, making casual jokes about historical figures whose same-sex relationships were definitely just that of “close friends”. We’ve long known that recordings of myth and legend do not favour the LGBTQIA+ — even when we are represented, we’re often given stories of tragedy and pain, with unfavourable endings. Remythed, conceived and written by Joel Samuels and Roann Hassani McCloskey, of Bet’n Lev Theatre, seeks to balance those scales.

We’re welcomed into the space as three of the five cast members casually greet audience from the stage, beckoning them in, like hosts at a party. This invitation into the room isn’t one that we often see in live theatre and it certainly sets the tone for the entire show. Our introduction to the evening is one that evokes an intimate get-together, rather than a play — the final two cast members are actually seated amongst the audience and brought on with a bit of silliness. It sets us up for an evening where the cast will frequently sit amongst us, laugh with us, make us feel like we’re truly in this with them.

The cast then carry us through a series of ancient myths, beginning with that of Scheherezade, the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights. Scheherezade spins her tales for an angry king, hoping to appease his wrath. Throughout the series of stories, the cast cycle through characters with impressive dynamism, able to slip from one character into another with ease. It’s shockingly easy to follow, given the breadth of the material, which only speaks further volumes of both the writing and the performances.

Remythed is staged incredibly simply. It’s easy to see why it tours so well — with virtually no set to speak of and no costume changes throughout, it does quite a lot with very little. The lighting design by Al Simpson shifts us through the various locations in a simple, but effective manner. Equally, the sound design by Annie May Fletcher adds that extra little flare of magic in all the places where it’s needed. One particular sequence, in which we hear a reimagining of the story of Lilith, Adam’s first wife, benefits hugely from a bit of sound wizardry. The entire cast are exceptional, but Lucy Roslyn in particular shines throughout, playing through so many different roles with such efficiency and heart that it’s almost dizzying.

Ultimately, Remythed is like a cup of tea and a warm blanket on a cold winter’s evening. It hugs you, invites you to feel some joy, gives you permission to be whoever it is you want to be. And couldn’t we all use a bit more of that right now?

THE GANG OF THREE

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“At the centre of director Kirsty Patrick Ward’s bitchy and erudite psychodrama are three rounded and convincing performances”

The occasional soundtrack behind this formidable political drama tells of a nation undergoing change, from the raucous rock of the early ’70s to the chaotic onslaught of punk and New Wave as the ’80s approach.

But inside Libby Watson’s evocative set – all dusty books, leather sofas, and drinks trolleys – the same argument goes round and round.

Three giants of the Labour movement – Tony Crosland, Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey – all pals from war-time Oxford – cannot fathom how to seize the leadership of their party and the country.

It’s right there for the taking, if only they can agree on who should carry the flame.

With such a prize will come influence for generations. Think: no Margaret Thatcher; the leftist tendency put to the sword; no third party politics.

But these towering figures are also – and perhaps more so – towering egos and none will relinquish their claim.

In the end, the prize is lost.

In writers Robert Khan and Tom Salinksky’s reckoning, the what-ifs fly like shrapnel through the years.

That is not to suggest these three upholstered middle-aged men were on the outside. No, they were close to power, becoming the embodiment of the privileged elite. Roy Jenkins, the father of the permissive ’60s, Denis Healey, arguably the last truly charismatic chancellor, and – brightest of them all – Tony Crosland and his seminal thinking on the future of socialism.

And yet, the prize eluded them and was granted to lesser men, in their eyes. They marvel, at one point, how the hard left stole the party after the 1979 election defeat simply because Tony Benn and Michael Foot did a deal that avoided splitting the vote, a feat the magnificent minds of The Gang of Three simply couldn’t pull off. For years.

As Healey says at one point, “We are all children wearing our fathers’ clothes, hoping no-one will notice.”

They know their fate is to sink together, to cancel each other out, but still they cling to old disputes while the country moves on.

At the centre of director Kirsty Patrick Ward’s bitchy and erudite psychodrama are three rounded and convincing performances, not impressions but capturing the spirit of those mighty figures.

Alan Cox is Crosland, all camp teasing and frivolity; booming Colin Tierney captures the avuncular yet menacing manoeuvrings of Denis Healey; while Hywel Morgan has the hunched-up physicality (and the mispronounced Rs) of the uptight, humourless Roy Jenkins, so desperate to run a party, he eventually founded his own.

In the brisk, knowing script we jump from April 1972, just as Jenkins throws his toys out of the pram and resigns the deputy leadership, to the mournful 1980 post-mortem, Thatcher in power for a generation and Jenkins still plotting to claim the liberal throne.

By then Crosland is dead at 58, his stellar potential left unfulfilled.

There is an unfortunate flashback to 1940, suggesting a homosexual fling between Jenkins and Crosland, but beyond that, the play never puts a foot wrong. The script is dense with argument about the difficult politics of the left but all is handled with a deft and playful touch.

To those who were there, it is an exciting tribute to great men of charisma in an age of titans – and to those too young to remember, it serves as a reminder that nothing – least of all fratricide – is new in politics.

The Gang of Three is an accomplished and satisfying work, with polished performances, a witty script, endless gins and a cascade of awkward truths that are still relevant today.

REMYTHED

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“the cast cycle through characters with impressive dynamism”

REMYTHED

King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed on 9th May 2025

by Stacey Cullen

Photography by Ali Wright

Previously reviewed at this venue:

REMYTHED

REMYTHED

REMYTHED

THE GANG OF THREE

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“At the centre of director Kirsty Patrick Ward’s bitchy and erudite psychodrama are three rounded and convincing performances”

THE GANG OF THREE

King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed on 6th May 2025

by Giles Broadbent

Photography by Manuel Harlan

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE GANG OF THREE

THE GANG OF THREE

THE GANG OF THREE

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