Rosamund Pike delivers a captivating performance in the world premiere of Inter Alia at the National Theatre, tackling complex themes of femininity and societal expectations.
Rosamund Pike Shines in the Premiere of Inter Alia
Rosamund Pike delivers a scorching central performance in the world premiere of Inter Alia at the National Theatre, a follow-up by playwright Suzie Miller to her acclaimed work Prima Facie, which earned Tony and Olivier Awards for Jodie Comer. There is now a race to bring the Saltburn star to the West End.
Character Depth and Emotional Turmoil
Pike (Gone Girl, An Education) portrays Jessica Parks, a fictional crown court judge navigating the complex issues of masculinity and motherhood that jeopardize both her family and career. The audience at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre erupted in applause when she took her solo bow after dominating the stage for the 100-minute play directed by Justin Martin, who also directed Prima Facie in London and Broadway.
Strong Supporting Cast
Joining her are Jamie Glover (The Crown) as the judge’s husband and Jasper Talbot, a recent graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, as their son.
Commercial Interest and Future Prospects
Several West End commercial theater owners attended the opening night, eager to transfer the show—with Pike—to their venues. Nica Burns, chief executive of Nimax Theatres, expressed, “People are going to be clamouring for tickets to see Rosamund in this,” at the after-party held in the Lyttelton’s expansive foyers.
Behind the scenes, the National Theatre is keen to transfer Inter Alia if the reviews from critics are favorable and, crucially, if Pike is available. Her powerful performance is a significant box-office draw, akin to Comer’s in Prima Facie.
Potential Challenges Ahead
Word from Pike’s camp suggests she is interested, but they are waiting to see how developments unfold. Another challenge is finding a venue that can accommodate Miriam Buether’s set, designed for the Lyttelton’s wide proscenium. However, as one producer noted, “It’ll cost them, but the set can be scaled down. That’s not a major problem.”
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Audience Reactions and Themes
While I’m hesitant to reveal plot details, I can share that there were three moments that elicited gasps from the audience, the loudest I’ve heard in years. Miller writes in the official program that “there are so many invisible lines and boundaries that women must negotiate between motherhood, marriage, professional lives, and being women in society… For women, generally, there is another layer, the social judgement of women trying to manage it all.”
The dramatist emphasizes, “Like so many women trying to meet competing demands, Jessica also judges herself.”
Final Thoughts
Miller’s insights do not spoil the central plot. I hope critics will be cautious with spoilers. The play runs at the National until September 13. A live performance of Inter Alia will be captured on September 4 and broadcast to cinemas across the UK and Ireland, with further screenings from September 18 and internationally, including the U.S., from September 25.
Among the notable guests at the gala opening were actor Ian McKellen, composer Tim Minchin, broadcaster Emily Maitlis, and former National Theatre leaders Trevor Nunn and Rufus Norris, along with current artistic director Indhu Rubasingham.
