The Assembled Parties at Hampstead Theatre Review
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
When you invite your best friend from College to stay with your family, you might wonder what could go wrong? Hampstead Theatre has revived American writer Richard Greenberg’s triple Tony Award-winning show The Assembled Parties in the wake of his passing this year. Originally running on Broadway in 2013, this play focuses on a Jewish family enjoying a secular Christmas in 1980 and 2000.
Director Blanche McIntyre has given a nuanced and focused approach to this play. The discussions are focused on in great detail, and every subtle breadcrumb and detail is clearly laid out for the audience to follow along into the future Christmas of this family. In Act One, everything seems to go well, and the future is bright. Act Two, in contrast, we see all the damage the last score of the 20th century reaped on this family, and very few survivors are left to see the new millennium.
The cast are superb. Alexander Marks shines as sons Scotty and Tim, utilising very different mannerisms and tones to convey siblings with different paths in life. Sam Marks is excellent as the best friend Jeff, and the change in him over the two acts is remarkable. Tracy Anne Oberon is worth the price of the ticket alone in her stunning performance as Faye, the sister to Ben and a lady marked by troubled mother daughter relationships. Jennifer Westfeldt brings humour as Julie, the matriarch of the family and a former movie star. Although we only see these three in the first half, the sincerity and cohesive chemistry of Daniel Abelson, Julia Kass and David Kennedy work well to flesh out and add much pathos to the production.
Although many of the issues raised in the story are poignant. Including family death due to the aids crisis, estrangement of loved ones and financial difficulties, this play hints rather than dives into these issues and therefore feels just a very long conversation on unresolved family dynamics. This play is also incredibly American in tone, focusing on a family living in the palatial west side of New York, so some of the context is easy to miss if you are not familiar with New York Jewish language and customs.
James Cotterill’s set is impressive and does much of the heavy lifting for this show. Act One utilises a revolving floor where we see simple snapshots of the different interactions of the cast, which are happening simultaneously. In contrast, Act Two is a fixed and much grander set which throws the then much smaller cast into faded grandeur and fixed discussions.
This is quite a gentle, meandering play that is a lighthearted and enjoyable view to brighten your spirits, but not necessarily thrill you. It is a perfect winter play and its cosiness and family drama will definitely set you in the mood for Christmas and all its traditions. If you enjoy witty plays, excellent actors and interesting discussions, then this is the show for you.
The Assembled Parties plays until 22 November
★★★★
