Inter Alia review: Rosamund Pike and Suzie Miller are a dream creative collaboration
This brand-new play from Prima Facie playwright Suzie Miller is a raw, nuanced must-see, especially in today's online world.
It wasn't that long ago that the hit Netflix series Adolescence brought concern about what young boys consume online to the forefront of public conversation. Now, Inter Alia is here to prompt a similar conversation in the theatre world.
Playwright Suzie Miller is a well-known name in theatre, due in part to the success of her play Prima Facie, starring Jodie Comer. So how exactly does one follow a smash hit like Prima Facie? The answer lies in getting the band back together, as Miller has once again collaborated with director Justin Martin and set and costume designer Miriam Buether.
Inter Alia (a Latin phrase meaning 'among other things') follows Jessica Parks, a courtroom judge who is married to Michael, a barrister, and mum to 18 year old Harry.
Jessica deals with plenty of intense cases in the courtroom, many of which focus on sexual assault; however, she is forced to confront this topic differently when the theme of sexual assault enters her life in a much more personal way.
Suzie Miller's writing is bustling, vibrant, emotional. She manages to cover a wide range of themes and topics without the play feeling crammed or overstuffed; an extremely difficult skill to master.
Miller provides a searing indictment of what has come to be known as the manosphere, an online space where misogynistic influencers, most famously Andrew Tate, espouse rhetoric that seeks to reduce women to the function of looking pretty, serving men and having children.
In Inter Alia, we see the impact that the manosphere can have in the real world, through the actions of the young men influenced. Peer pressure online adds to the laddish pressure that young men often face in real life, leading to devastating consequences for those involved.
Speaking of sexism, Miller tackles misogyny in both Jessica's professional and personal life in an achingly real way. While she is conscience of the discrimination she faces in the courtroom and willing to stand up against it, Jessica doesn't adopt the same approach at home, allowing herself to submit to her husband and feed his bruised ego after she was made a judge before him. Jessica is aware of this and, as a feminist, is confused as to why she behaves this way.
Inter Alia also examines the nature of guilt. Jessica herself explains how the moral definition of guilt doesn't line up exactly with the legal definition of guilt. Not to mention the play's exploration of the inherent guilt that comes with being a parent, as well as the guilt of working women who feel like they aren't enough.
Above all, Inter Alia poses the ultimate question: just how far will we go to protect the people we love?
All of these complicated themes are made manifest in Rosamund Pike's jaw-dropping performance. Pike is a tour-de-force, bustling ceaselessly as she switches from courtroom to home, constantly taking phone calls, setting tables, ironing shirts, delivering verdicts and more.
Pike gives the air of a woman holding it together before slowly unravelling. She is sharp and observant, but prone to manic bursts where her chaotic jumble of thoughts reveals itself, such as a flashback to losing Harry in the park as a child.
A special mention must also be made for Jasper Talbot's performance of Harry, as he seamlessly guides the audience through a range of emotions, helping them to see themselves or their loved ones in him throughout his performance.
The main word that comes to mind when thinking about this production is clever. Elements of the production – constant hectic costume changes, the use of music, effective stage design – are all so wonderfully clever, used subtly to create a huge impact.
Suzie Miller's writing is more than clever; it's genius. Returning motifs, especially the use of child actors to portray a younger, more innocent version of the characters, are supremely effective.
Combine a deeply raw and thought-provoking script with an outstanding performer like Rosamund Pike, and you've got an unmissable production. Inter Alia is a must-see.
Want to hear more of our thoughts on the latest West End shows? Check out our Till The Stars Come Down review and Burlesque review.
When and where can I see Inter Alia?
Inter Alia is playing at the Lyttelton Theatre (National Theatre) until Saturday 13th September.
You'll also have the chance to purchase to a live screening of Inter Alia on Thursday 4th September, which is taking place at a range of cinemas across the UK.
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How to get Inter Alia tickets
Tickets for this production are selling out fast, so you'll want to move quickly. If tickets aren't available on one ticketing platform, it's best to check a range – we've included some options below.
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