Review: My Master Builder, Wyndham’s Theatre

Writer Lila Raicek brings her version of Ibsen’s classic to Wyndham’s in the form of My Master Builder. It’s her debut play and she must have done something right to snap up top talent like A-lister Ewan McGregor and The Crown’s Elizabeth Debicki to lead the cast. A twist on the original gives prominence to the female figures of wife Elena (Kate Fleetwood) and younger lover Mathilde (Debicki).

The play begins with Henry (McGregor), a ‘starchitect’, at his latest redevelopment in the exclusive beachside setting of the Hamptons. An old Whalers’ chapel, it now resembles a massive, icy fortress of solitude. He tells how memory and architecture are inextricably linked, connecting past and present to glorify in remembrance, and similar ideas recur repeatedly in the play. It’s the night of a party to celebrate his success, and Richard Kent’s impressive set, with its lovely seascape and grasses, captures the airy serenity of their coastal home beautifully. However, we learn that Henry’s wife is secretly seeking a divorce and has manipulated the evening to invite his former student, with whom he had an inappropriate fling a decade earlier. There’s trouble afoot.

The play describes people with ambiguous feelings and imperfections, investigating ideas of love and power; but it feels more academic than sizzling. Raicek writes with a self-conscious style and a great deal of exposition. Laboured language about sensuality and relationships detracts from what should be the actors’ job; putting words in their mouths instead of physical tension and electricity on stage. The script also leans in to slightly sleazy territory of slut-shaming, and sexual exploitation of the vulnerable, which is uncomfortable. A devastating storyline about a dead child could be blisteringly emotive but instead feels perfunctory. I’m not sure its name is even mentioned. Manipulation, secrets and deceit are rife, yet somehow there are few surprises.

It’s hard to determine who to root for here. The characters are all flawed humans, often rather self-delusional, so they’re less attractive and also somewhat predictable. When Fleetwood does get a chance to shine she goes for it admirably, in a phenomenal, fiery passion that can be felt to the back of the stalls. There’s light relief in the character of Ragnar, played with enthusiasm by David Ajala in vibrant Speedos, but the character is drawn with broad, brief strokes and little substance.

The cast do well with what they’ve got to work with. McGregor gives a solid performance, making best use of that lovely twinkle in his eye to charm. But the ambiguity of his character means it’s hard to tell if he’s genuine, deranged or outright ignorant about women, so again he’s hard to relate to. Henry’s final tragic fall lacks impact simply because it’s not clear if we should love him or hate him for his ham-fisted relationship management. McGregor also has to contest with being dressed down in slacks and Toms, channelling middle-aged man grasping to keep his youth rather than sexy, successful architect.

Debicki for the most part brings elegance and dignity to the stage, although the clumsy script has confused feminist messaging and demeans her character, making an intelligent, beautiful woman a disposable plaything. Sadly, the relationship between Henry and Mathilde doesn’t feel particularly scandalous. Visually mismatched, in his bland outfit he looks diminutive and grasping beside her statuesque grandeur.

There’s no denying the talent on the stage at Wyndham’s, and the cast do a sound job of keeping this cumbersome thing moving along. But perhaps if there was slightly less script there’d be space to construct the characters more satisfyingly and build some searing drama.

Written by: Lila Raicek
Directed by: Michael Grandage
Set and Costume Design by: Richard Kent
Lighting Design by: Paule Constable

My Master Builder runs at Wyndham’s Theatre until Saturday 12 July.