Alma Mater @ Almeida Theatre...

Last week Stuart and I went to see award-winning playwright Kendall Feaver’s new play Alma Mater at the Almeida Theatre in London's glitzy Islington.

 

Wow, it's a thought-provoking play, that's for sure. 

 

Following an allegation of sexual assault by a male college student on fresher Paige (Liv Hill), an Oxbridge university campus becomes rife with speculation, mistrust, and anger. Jo (Justine Mitchell), the first ever female master of her college comes head-to-head with Nikki (Phoebe Campbell), a student impatient for justice.

 

Paige doesn't want to be defined by her trauma.

Jo has got the college (and her own reputation) to think about. She's very much a second wave feminist. She fought the good fight back in the day.

But Nikki, very much a fourth wave feminism, can't let things slide. #MeToo indeed.

 

With the college polarised and all sides doubling-down, will anyone emerge unscathed? Nope!

 

Polly Findlay direction is a delight. Phoebe Campbell is extraordinary. Justine Mitchell excels.

Perhaps the only weakness is that some characters do 180s to serve the later plot twists. Which seem jarring rather than inevitable.  

 

Alma Mater will sure get you thinking though. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️