Review: The Constituent, Old Vic - promises, promises
28/06/2024
There's been a lot of buzz on social media about The Constituent at the Old Vic, and on paper, it holds a lot of promise. But did it live up to expectations?
Anna Maxwell Martin plays Monica, a back-bench opposition MP who is having new security cameras and a panic button fitted at her constituency office. The person doing the work, Alec (James Corden), happens to be a constituent and has gone to the same school.
Monica is a politician with a lot of empathy. Ex-army Alec's marriage has ended, and he is fighting to see his kids. He thinks laws need to change, and Monica can help with that.
The play starts with an almost jovial comic tone, with funny quips and ripples of laughter. But the story starts to take a darker turn.
Monica receives rape and death threats, and her office is smashed up. The name Alec means 'defender of men', which is the position Alec, the character, takes when it comes to father's rights.
Is this a comedy or a dark drama? It is difficult to discern. The comedy is too cheery in tone to make it a black comedy, and given the subject matter, it gets harder and harder to laugh.
And then there is Monica and Alec and what their exchanges over the course of the play add to the debate about politicians' roles, their safety and fathers' rights.
It is a meaty topic, but there is little revelation and little change in their stance, particularly Monica's, and the discussion stagnates.
There are curious decisions which are either red herrings to the plot or just not properly harnessed. Alec's particular role in the army in Afghanistan would have involved negotiation, persuasion and manipulation.
But Alec isn't given the opportunity to display those particular skills in the play. Does that set him up as a liar, or is it a wasted opportunity?
James Corden is fun to watch as the bubbly, witty, affable security fitter Alec but less convincing with the darker material.
So, for me, it was a promising play that didn't fully realise its promise. I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️.
The Constituent, Old Vic
Written by Joe Penhall
Directed by Matthew Warchus
Starring Anna Maxwell Martin and James Corden
Running time: One hour and 25 minutes without an interval
Booking until 10 August; for more details and to buy tickets, visit the Old Vic website
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