Caryl Churchill's new play Triumph opens at London's Almeida

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 09:43 · Archive

Caryl Churchill's 20-minute play Triumph, about a press officer for an unnamed strongman ruler, has opened at London's Almeida theatre.

Caryl Churchill's new play Triumph has opened at the Almeida theatre in London. The production, directed by James Macdonald and running just 20 minutes, centres on an edgy romance between a male journalist and a female press officer who wears a blonde wig for her public appearances as a spokesperson for an unnamed, cruel and narcissistic emperor.

At the heart of the play, the press officer initially celebrates the regime's acceptable achievements before learning through her lover of its atrocities, including prisoners trapped in cages. She then reveals the truth on camera, expecting retribution. Instead, she is praised as ratings increase and told 'The people like a strong emperor.' The character stands at a lectern backed by imperial purple and speaks in an overtly American accent.

The play draws on historical analogy, particularly Suetonius's biographies of Rome's leaders from The Twelve Caesars, and avoids naming contemporary political figures. Kate O'Flynn plays the lead role. The Evening Standard notes that the play's week-long run and brief length have made performances nearly sold out.

How it is being reported

• Triumph review: Caryl Churchill's short, caustic White House satireThe great Churchill unveils her new work at the Almeida with eerie timingEvening Standard · 19 Oct, 09:25
• ‘A vigorous apologist for a cruel emperor’: Is Caryl Churchill’s explosive new play about Trump and his press officers?From Thatcherism to global crisis to an ever-online world, she has chronicled our race to the abyss. Now she’s written a play about a blond-wigged voicepiece for an un-named, strongman ruler. Who can she mean? Triumph, which has just opened at London’s Almeida theatre, is Caryl Churchill’s latest piece of explosive minimalism. Running at just 20 minutes, it skewers contemporary barbarism without mentioning the names of Trump, Putin or any of the other supposedly strong national leaders. It works through historical analogy and is a reminder that Churchill – while “always ahead of the game” in…The Guardian · 19 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Caryl Churchill · James Macdonald · Kate O'Flynn · Almeida theatre · London

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem