In National Theatre Live: Inter Alia, a successful Crown Court judge’s personal life as a karaoke lover, wife and mum is shaken when a crisis hits. Source: Australian Catholics.
This was absolutely riveting theatre and I have to commend Pike’s nuanced and polished performance. This play follows on from the acclaim of writer Suzie Miler’s success in Prima Facie, another courtroom drama exploring dark emotional terrain and the application of the law.
Although occasional freneticism threatened the script and its excellent dialogue, particularly in the first half, I was impressed with Pike’s vocal range, from her stentorian judge’s voice to her cooing mother love and all stops in between.
It was a fantastically energetic performance and certainly gave the audience something to think about, especially its interrogation of young manhood today and the ambiguities and pressures presented to boys as they navigate their way, often without maps except for the misogynistic “manosphere”, to manhood.
The other thread that came through strongly was the placatory way, Jess, the feminist judge, undersold her achievements at home so as not to dent her barrister husband Michael’s ego. She does all the emotional lifting in the household, almost apologising for her success, as she prepares dinner and she and her husband wonder about their teenage son Harry’s recent night out.
This play explores the nature of consent, the crossed wires of teenage romance and the complications and complexities of wanting to protect a good child who has done the wrong thing. The law is also held to account when recollections and inconsistencies can be used to undermine the facts of the matter and diminish the gravity of an assault.
This is an intense play, fast-paced and clever. Pike is ably supported by Glover as Michael and Talbot as Harry, a not bad but blundering youth who has lost his way or not been suitably guided by his parents as he ventures into life beyond the safety and certainty of home.
Review by Ann Rennie, Jesuit Media
Inter Alia. A National Theatre Production. Cast: Rosamund Pike, Jamie Glover, Jasper Talbot. Running time: 112 minutes written by Suzie Miller
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Inter Alia (Australian Catholics)
