Reviewing: Lost Atoms by Anna Jordan Now At The Belgrade Theatre

A co-production between Frantic Assembly, Curve, Mayflower Southampton and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lost Atoms follows Jess (played by Hannah Sinclair Robinson) and Robbie (played by Joe Layton) through a journey into their shared recollection of their relationship. Written by Anna Jordan (Succession, Killing Eve, One Day), the play showcases the couple’s life-impacting ups and downs in a posthumanic manner that truly leaves both the audience and the characters unsure of their feelings by the end.

Both Layton and Robinson’s performances were immaculate. Their ability to portray whimsical, flawed, yet highly relatable and empathy evoking characters, all while tackling some very hefty physical theatre work, mainly revolving around a climbable set background that in some ways is the third character stage, is well and truly mind boggling.  Layton’s portrayal of Robbie is vulnerable and revealing while still maintaining a sense of boyish charm, which further compels the audience to fall in love with his character. Robinson’s ability to balance both the sassy, tart, and sometimes unlikable aspects of Jess’s character, while still fleshing out the warm, soft elements that oppose the former, makes for an ultimately endearing and refreshing performance. It is also important to note that while the play is set in a surrealistic landscape, the characters do not lose any depth or complexity at the expense of honouring the atemporal and transcendent background of the narrative, a valiant and fruitful effort on the cast and creative team’s behalf.

Jordan’s writing style is highly effective at conveying the nuances of a less than perfect relationship, ever so delicately and sensitively without dulling down, sugar-coating or sanitizing the content is truly a work to marvel at. While slightly abrasive (to my liking) at times, her use of language and dialogue realistically emulates the dysfunction of the human experience and its role in both building and breaking relationships in a way that feels so life-like that, when I left the theatre, I felt as if I had just witnessed the rise and demise of the relationship of my two close personal friends. The amazing writing, coupled with the direction of Frantic Assembly’s AD, Scott Graham, creates a welcoming yet sporadically uneasy environment, which is quite fitting for the exploration of sensitive topics, such as complex family dynamics, grief, and mental health.

Overall, I found this play to be highly enjoyable. Between the beautiful and well-choreographed use of physical theatre and set dressing, and the cast’s undeniably potent chemistry coupled with the well-paced and evocative writing, it is evident that Lost Atoms is a true labour of love that I personally think encapsulates the idea of a modern fairytale in a tender yet thought provoking way.