Theatre / Autumn Season
Bristol Old Vic to host the European premiere of Matthew López’s ‘Reverberation’
Now based in the UK, lauded playwright Matthew López came to international prominence with his fifth play, The Inheritance (2018) – a two-part, seven-hour epic of contemporary gay life that was dubbed “the most important American play of the century” (The Daily Telegraph).
The play went on to win numerous accolades, including four Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards, cementing López’s position as an important and influential voice in American culture.
In recent years he has gone on to write and direct for film and television, making his debut with the 2023 TV adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s LGBTQ+ novel Red, White & Royal Blue.
is needed now More than ever
On October 2, Bristol Old Vic will be opening a month-long run of López’s play Reverberation, which was first staged in Connecticut in 2015. It’s tipped to star Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, who returns to the Old Vic after playing David in a 2023 production of Choir Boy, and Eleanor Tomlinson who recently made waves in the Netflix TV series One Day.
Reverberation centres on a character called Jonathan (Ahomka-Lindsay) who – in the midst of trauma – has found himself drawing back from social interaction.
When Claire (Tomlinson) moves into the upstairs flat she begins to forge a connection with him but they are soon impacted by personal tragedy.
The role of Jonathan will be played by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay while Claire will be played by Eleanor Tomlinson – photo: Bristol Old Vic
The run will be the European premiere for the play, which is presented by Bristol Old Vic in association with international producers Glass Half Full Productions.
This staging has been reimagined for a UK audience, and is now placed in London, rather than in its original setting across the Atlantic.
The show will be directed by Jack Sain in his first time working at Bristol Old Vic – the oldest in the English-speaking world.
“Reverberation is a unique piece of writing: at times tender, at others visceral; at times hilarious, at others disconcerting,” Sain reflects.
Matthew López’s Reverberation – artwork: Bristol Old Vic
Sain adds, “it is a play about lost souls finding each other in the dark, about loneliness and longing, comfort and denial.”
“I’m grateful to Matthew for entrusting us with it, for shaping it for a new era, and for this beautiful theatre. We look forward to showing you what we have in store.”
Reverberation is at Bristol Old Vic on October 2-November 2 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
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