Star rating: ★★★★★
The Pianist follows the story of Władysław Szpilman on his extraordinary journey from pre-war Warsaw through his enduring passion for music. Based on his incredible true story, the production brings both the triumph of human spirit and the dark realities of the Second World War to life on stage.
The story unfolds really beautifully, with Daniel Krikler stepping into the role of Władysław Szpilman and delivering a compelling performance, portraying his growing desperation, vulnerability, and determination to survive. He is joined by a talented cast of actor-musicians, including Malcolm Forbes-Peckham as The Pianist, Rosalind Ford as Mother, Oliver Grant as Hosenfeld, TJ Holmes as Father, Mischa Jardine as Janina, Elżbieta Kalicka as Regina, Nitai Levi as Henryk, Oliver Magor in the Ensemble, Melania Maggiore as Halina, Max Roll as Gimpel / Majorek, and Erin Rowlatt.
The live music is absolutely beautiful, offering moments of comfort and reflection against the increasingly devastating events unfolding on stage. Malcolm Forbes-Peckham’s piano playing is exceptional, with his performances becoming some of the most memorable moments of the evening.
Because the show serves as a memoir of Szpilman’s life, incorporating his own compositions brings a wonderful touch, giving audiences an opportunity to appreciate his talent beyond his remarkable story of survival.
Although there is a lot of incredible instrumental music throughout, I felt there could have been a couple more vocal numbers in the show.
Nevertheless, the production brilliantly highlights the importance of music during unimaginable hardship, presenting it as a source of identity, comfort, and resilience. The story serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of war and persecution, and the importance of remembering those who suffered.
The decision to separate Szpilman from the pianist is an interesting theatrical choice, though it occasionally creates a slight disconnect, particularly given how central music is to Szpilman's identity. However, it is very touching to see them come together at the end.
The intimate setting of the Park Theatre works particularly well, making the audience feel much closer to the characters and the events they experience. Together with the minimalist set design, the story seamlessly moves between different locations without relying on elaborate scenery. Meanwhile, the lighting and projections are particularly effective, helping establish the changing atmosphere as the situation becomes increasingly desperate.
In the early parts of the show, the family scenes bring much-needed warmth to the production, making the contrast with the later events particularly affecting. The ensemble works beautifully together, creating believable, genuine relationships despite the limited time available to develop each individual character.
Ultimately, the final scenes are particularly poignant, bringing the production to a deeply thoughtful and emotional conclusion.
The Pianist is playing until 28 November at the park theatre in London more information about the show can be found here: https://www.thepianistmusical.com
Photo by Anthony Leary-White
