Land of the Free offers a unique and timely exploration of liberty and how this lauded American ideal is stifled by political violence. The criticality of the 1864 US election runs parallel to the 2024 election, and Donald Trump’s failed assassination attempts are tactfully alluded to in the play. It would be remiss not to make such a poignant comparison!
The play by Simple8 explores Abraham Lincoln’s assassination through the lens of modern political tensions, echoing today’s polarized climate. Dissonant ideologies and values are casually brought up between characters but the dissonance ultimately leads to the infamous assassination.
Brandon Bassir’s portrayal of John Wilkes Booth is both charming and chilling, while Clara Onyemere as Lincoln is a commanding presence. While Lincoln’s assassination is common knowledge, Booth’s backstory is less charted territory, and contextualising him as an actor from a theatrical family who was passionately opinionated about the civil war helps explain his psyche and motivations.
The entire cast is talented and clearly dedicated to their roles.
However, the production suffers from being overly ambitious. The script is oversaturated with historical minutiae, sometimes at the expense of pacing and clarity.
With too many characters for the size of the company, it becomes overwhelming at points, making it harder to connect emotionally with the narrative. It also makes it challenging to flesh out the characters.
While thought-provoking and relevant, the play struggles under the weight of its complex subject matter and would have benefitted from tighter focus and coherence.
The timeliness and relevance of the production is its greatest forte.
Land of the Free runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough (The Large) until November 9.
Photo: KatieC Photography
JADAR 