Review: Reverberation at Bristol Old Vic

Before Matthew López struck theatrical gold with his 2018 epic The Inheritance, he penned the more intimate and, some could argue, more immediately digestible Reverberation, currently receiving its European Premier at Bristol Old Vic.

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as Jonathan (Photo: Marc Brenner)

We are introduced to a world of confinement driven by tragedy in Jonathan's clinical world where connection is largely digital with an occasional hook up that results in instant gratification without making it anything more than just a hook up.

One such right swipe is with Jack Gibson's Wes. We start near their finish. Gibson's Wes is a firecracker of energy and emotion. Gibson, making his professional debut, stakes his claim with an assured performance that stands shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the cast and promises exciting things to come.

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay and Jack Gibson (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Jonathan's parting gift, as he propels Wes from his apartment is a copy of James Baldwin's Another Country. This is a familiar literary tool of López, whose The Inheritance is inspired by EM Forster's Howards End. From here, the themes of Baldwin's 1962 novel seep into Reverberation with some beautifully positioned parallels. The first of which is the introduction of the luminous whirlwind, neighbour Claire. Providing a much needed palette change to Jonathan's chrome world, Claire and Jonathan rapidly become joined at the hip.

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay and Eleanor Tomlinson (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Claire's presence in Jonathan's life makes everything brighter, offering a glimmer of hope that life beyond the apartment may be possible. Their paths bringing them to this point may be different but the damage has been done on both sides and what they can offer each other is an alternative, more hopeful future.

The relationship between Claire and Jonathan is key to the dynamics that drive Reverberation and here, Director Jack Sain has struck gold with Michael Ahomka-Lindsay and Eleanor Tomlinson.

Tomlinson is resplendent as Claire. The character is written with such energy and passion and Tomlinson inhabits her with a beautifully crafted goofy, big hearted curiosity that makes it impossible not to get drawn in by her.

At the centre of this tale is Ahomka-Lindsay's Jonathan. It's a rare treat to see an actor so at ease on stage whilst being in complete control of driving a complex narrative. Every beat of his performance is nuanced, sharing an insightful fusion of someone so damaged by the world whilst attempting to find a way through.

The Gibson/Tomlinson/Ahomka-Lindsay trinity is steered with truth and clarity by Director Jack Sain who, with his creative team have mapped out this mini-masterpiece of López.

Opening the doors to BOV Artistic Director Nancy Medina's pledge to make Bristol Old Vic a supportive and nurturing arena for new writing, this European Premier promises big things to come for the oldest continually-operating theatre in the English-speaking world.

Reverberations is one of the most exciting new productions to grace a stage in recent years. A play about life; those we have lost, one that is lived and one that we hope to live. A production with a creative team at the top of their game and a venue that is putting its money where its mouth is.

Glorious.

Reverberation continues at Bristol Old Vic until Saturday 2nd November 2024.