Christine Lahti’s autobiographical play, The Smile of Her, is running at the Marylebone Theatre this summer and it is nothing short of brilliant!
The Smile of Her is a 90-minute play written and performed by Christine Lahti, which follows her life as she transitioned from childhood into adulthood, focusing on specific episodes that have marked her in different ways. The play dives deep into Lahti’s relationships with her parents and siblings, which were dominated by the 1950s views on women. Lahti explores how her life experiences shaped her own views and allowed her to break free from the expectations of the time. Ultimately, The Smile of Her takes the audience on a journey into Lahti’s past and present. However, the story does not end there, as it leaves a message, or rather, a question of hope for the future of women.
Lahti’s performance throughout the play was brilliant. Funny at times but absolutely devastating and touching when it needed to be. Her portrayal feels natural not only because of her acting talents, but also because she is telling her own story, with all the pain that comes with it. She captivated the audience throughout, with a performance that was as intimate as it was powerful.
Lahti was joined on stage by Jessamine-Bleu Gibbs, who plays both a younger version of Lahti and her inner child. Her performance was compelling, enjoyable, and sincere. Whenever the show steered away from its one-woman-show format, the exchanges between Lahti and Gibbs contributed to building the narrative and to introducing us into Lahti’s inner world.
The set is relatively simple, which helps convey the story by not adding unnecessary distractions, as the narrative demands the audience’s full attention. The production relies on the occasional use of projections on a screen, which are effective in giving the audience a visual connection to the real people whose stories are being told in the show. This works particularly well when introducing the Lahti family and during some of the more emotional scenes.
Watching the show was fantastic, but the experience was heightened by attending the Q&A session that followed it. Different topics were discussed during the session. However, the main takeaway was that the themes discussed in the show are, unfortunately, still very relevant nowadays.
The Smile of Her is a deeply personal piece of theatre that will stay with audiences long after they leave the theatre. Don’t miss the chance to see it at the Marylebone Theatre until 29 August.
Tickets to attend this show were provided complimentary. We wish the play a fantastic run!
Gonzalo
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