With hit after hit from the Almeida Theatre as of late (Patriots, Tammy Faye, A Mirror), Rupert Goold has a big task of keeping up the good run with their final production of the year, an adaptation of the Academy Award nominated film Cold War by Paweł Pawlikowski. Conor McPherson’s adaptation travels through the decades starting in 1949 Poland and in a circular fashion travels through Paris and eventually back to Poland. Although as the title suggests the Cold War is an ever-present theme with topics of communism and politics throughout, Cold War is truly a love story between a fearless singer Zulu and a rebellious composer Wiktor, as they both try to escape their place in life and find each other. Their magnetic relationship is followed over the years as they continue to find each other in different places both physically and emotionally.

Rupert Goold’s direction is as always on point, every point of action in the play appears well considered and purposeful, thus enriching the communist regime like structure the play is living in. Although the times appear hard to imagine, the humanity, joy and struggle seen on stage is easily empathised with and can be felt by the audience. While the struggle exactly cannot be understood, the sheer feeling from the characters translates through time and location.

Ellen Kane’s choreography paired with Elvis Costello’s music is nothing short of special. The movement and dance sequences again feel purposeful and strict to form and authenticity as the Polish folk music would require a certain style of dance to compliment it. It feels less of an all singing all dancing musical and more of a historical study through art. Jo Cichonska directs the music so effectively you feel as if you are stepping into the past. While some of the songs may not be understood lyrically, they are understood viscerally through the powerful arrangements and touching moments of a cappella, delivered immaculately by a strong cast. Jon Bausor’s deliberate and effective set allows room for the actors to take up space and adds to the ambience of a lived in space.

Amy Ball deserves a standing ovation with this cast. Luke Thallon and Anya Chalotra lead a powerful ensemble, while their chemistry is electric. They create such beautiful tension and themselves hold such weight and power on stage. Chalotra truly lights up the stage upon her entrance and her presence is felt absent when she leaves. Alex Young (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) is divine as always. Her beautifully matched vocals and acting choices create a harmony unlike no other, if only we got to see more of her. Elliot Levey demonstrates his heavyweight acting ability in this comedic role as he powerfully opens the show direct to audience. Jordan Metcalf as Michael was a joy to watch, he delivers as always a captivations and intriguing performance.

Cold War proved consistently engaging even throughout the down portions of the play in comparison to the large numbers where you can’t look away. The purposeful moments that allowed the piece to breathe weren’t dragged out or too frequent. The productions is the culmination of immaculate direction, flawless design and stellar writing. Every aspect of dramaturgy on this productions clearly highlights the emphasis of collusion and collective creativity as nothing felt a mis or out of place.

⭐️⭐️⭐⭐