The Time of Our Lies, Park Theatre - ★★★☆☆ - Until August 10, 2019


"The understudy will have to go on!" It is a trope of the theatre that seldom plays out in reality, but when Daniel Benzali who was to play central character, Howard Zinn, fell ill on the opening night of this production Martina Laird bravely leapt into the breach. She was not officially the understudy and had just over twenty-four hours to prepare, but she did an admirable job and proved herself to be the consummate professional. She took on the role of a 70 year old, white, Jewish man and was entirely credible. Howard Zinn who is the moral centre of this work is shown evolving from a bombardier in WW II to a left wing activist during the Vietnam War. He grows to a new understanding of America's history and presents a skeptical, pacifist view of America's role in various wars. "If you don't know history it is as if you were born yesterday. And if you were born yesterday, anybody in a position of power can tell you anything, and you have no way of checking up on it."

 Reviewed by J.C.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆★★ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until August 10, 2019
Mon - Sat: 7:30 pm, Thu & Sat: 3 pm
Park Theatre
Nearest tube: Finsbury Park Station (Station Place Exit)
https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-time-of-our-lies
Map & Location: Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP, UK

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