Review: Mnemonic (Olivier Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

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National Theatre continue its diverse and eclectic programming this year by bringing back a play that was previously staged there back in 2001. With several of the original cast members returning and themes that are just as relevant today as they were 25 years ago, would Mnemonic be as good as those who saw it the first time remembered? And for those of us, like me, who had never seen it before, would I find the show more memorable or easily forgettable?

Written by the British theatre company Complicite, Mnemonic was first seen in 1999 before being revived at National Theatre in 2001. It tells interwoven stories of a man searching for his lost lover, a woman trying to discover who she really is, and a body discovered in the ice, drawing parallels from all three in surprising ways.

Conceived and directed by Simon McBurney, the main theme in Mnemonic is memory and the power it holds, asking the questions of how we remember, why we remember, and what we remember. Though quite unconventional in its approach, the writing itself features layers upon layers, unraveling as the play progresses. Starting with a prolonged speech from the show’s “director” resulting in an immersive audience activity I daren’t spoil, we are suddenly thrust into the main body of the story. What gradually becomes clear is all of the seemingly insignificant nuggets of information and spontaneity of the initial speech hold a deeper meaning as they are referenced throughout the narrative with their meaning becoming clearer, demonstrating the sheer intelligence of the writing.

Mnemonic is a show that requires you to pay attention and one that you will get more out of if you take the time to think about it. With a singular act totalling two hours, there is barely any time for you to catch your breath in this rapidly paced story darting back and forth between the various narratives in versatile methods of storytelling. While the uncertainty and confusing nature of the various threads and incomplete nuggets of information towards the show’s start can be frustrating initially, the payoff is more than worth it in a show that aims to penetrate your brain and create a personal experience allowing you to draw your own comparisons while escaping into the story. While the show was new to me this time around, it was clear there had been revisions to the writing with contemporary references updating the action to the present day in part. While Mnemonic talks at length about the past and how it can impact the future, they have managed to get the balance right here in their updates while still honouring the past.

It is the varying ways Mnemonic plays out that makes it such a thrilling show. Movement plays a huge part in the telling of the action while the words themselves are sometimes spoken live and sometimes played out, often mid-sentence, demanding you pay attention to not get left behind. A very visual show, Michael Levine’s set design, Paul Anderson’s lighting, and Roland Horvath’s video design stimulate the senses in truly mind-blowing fashion.

While the cast is all labelled ensemble in the programme, the heart of the story belongs to Khalid Abdalla as he portrays two of the main characters in the multiple stories, often simultaneously. In a physically demanding performance, Abdalla commands the stage creating a sense of intrigue as we get to the heart of what has transpired in each story. Later in the story, Eileen Walsh takes a more prominent role in a powerful portrayal, playing the polar opposite of Abdalla’s character. This is a show where every cast member works cohesively to transform the story, with one comedic scene in the second half of the show featuring six of them showcasing their talents as performers individually and collectively.

Mnemomic is like nothing I have seen before. With an instantly gripping story, I longed to get the bottom of it, the storytelling methods by Complicite wowed me at every turn, demonstrating versatility but a real consistency in the quality. Visually thrilling and narratively stimulating, I found myself getting involved, thanks in part to the quite unconventional but wholly gratifying beginning involving the audience. This led to an experience at National Theatre like I have never had before and one show I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Mnemomic plays at the Olivier Theatre until 10th August. Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Photos by Johan Persson