Well rounded historical drama that serves us a reminder on the importance of condemning all political violence
Land of the Free is the latest show performed by award winning theatrical ensemble Simple 8. Written by Sebastian Armesto and Dudley Hinton, and also directed by Armesto, Land of the Free tells the story of John Wilks Booth – the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln shortly after the end of the American Civil war in 1865.
This is a British production from British writers, but covers a part of history that its British audience won’t typically have been exposed to through its school curriculum. Contrasted, for example, to famed West End British production Six, this play isn’t a retelling from a new perspective. With narration from the ensemble between scenes to provide historical context, as well as the erection of literal signs that tell the audience when in time a scene takes place – Land of the Free is an engaging, well taught historical fiction bordering on a history lesson. I’ll concede that at times it felt a little bit like I was being taken through a theatrical reenactment of a Wikipedia page – particularly exacerbated by the occasional tangents the plot deviated onto, but it was an interesting Wikipedia page nonetheless.
The entire cast of the production can be commended for their excellent performance. Most actors covered multiple parts, switching between roles flawlessly – though I would call out the noteworthy Brandon Bassir – who spent most of the play in the role of Booth himself, playing him with a combination of subtle malice, earnestness, and vulnerability. In addition, Clara Onyemere in the role of Lincoln showcased the President with a stoic goodness, and flashes of mild arrogance – direction that can be commended as one could argue it was a sense of complacency that allowed Booth the opportunity to fulfil the deed.
The word ‘Tyrant’ is used by Booth throughout the , before he eventually fires a bullet into the skull, just below the President’s left ear. At the side of the stage is a now famous photograph of Donald Trump, blood dripping down from his left ear, after the bullet aimed at his head missed by millimetres. This is never referenced in the play, but is crucial to the underlying message. The parting message of Booth in the production is that he sees himself as a hero. That he did what he did to protect America from a great evil. Here, Land of the Free carefully reminds us that political violence does not only affect one side. A hero to one is a villain to another. As a society we must reject it entirely, otherwise we may lose a leader capable of great goodness.