Review: The Years at Harold Pinter Theatre
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Five Stars)
After a critically acclaimed run at the Almeida Theatre in 2024, The Years has made a stunning transfer to the West End at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Adapted from Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux’s autobiographical novel Les Années, this play is a masterful exploration of the passing decades, charting the life of a woman from 1941 to 2006. Adapted and directed by the innovative Eline Arbo, The Years is an ambitious and unforgettable production.
At the heart of the play are five exceptional actresses, each taking on the role of the central character at various points in her life. The show unfolds across different chapters in the woman’s life, each introduced by a photograph of the protagonist set against a white tablecloth backdrop. The actress playing the woman in the forthcoming chapter strikes a pose for the photograph as the narrators (the other four actresses) describe her image, injecting humour and perforating the fourth wall. The use of the white tablecloth cleverly ties together the passage of time, from being a banner waved in protest to soaking up blood to catching children’s spilled food. By the end of the play, these once-pristine tablecloths are transformed into a rich tapestry that encapsulates the woman’s journey, making it a powerful visual metaphor for the accumulation of life’s experiences.
As the decades unfold, we see the woman’s evolution against the backdrop of monumental societal shifts. From war to the innovation of the contraceptive pill, from the changing role of women in society to the rapid evolution of technology, the play brings to life the seismic shifts in both the world and the protagonist herself. Early on, she is a trailblazer, embracing the changing world with energy and optimism, but as she ages, she finds herself struggling to keep up with the dizzying pace of change. Arbo’s adaptation of Ernaux's material is a brilliant commentary on the way people transform over the years: constantly becoming new versions of themselves, all while carrying the ghosts of the selves they once were and who they will become.
The performances in this play are nothing short of extraordinary. Harmony Rose-Bremner brings a youthful, playful energy to the protagonist’s childhood, capturing her curiosity and wonder at the world. Anjli Mohindra takes over as the character enters adolescence, skillfully portraying her first romantic experiences as she evolves from childhood into womanhood. Romola Garai then steps in to depict the woman as she ages further in adulthood. Garai’s performance is especially impressive during the infamous abortion scene which has left audience members (including one at the performance I attended) regularly fainting and requiring show stops. The intensity of this moment, performed with remarkable skill by Garai, is graphic but never gratuitous. Despite the disruption, Garai continued with professionalism, seamlessly resuming the scene after the brief interruption.
As the character matures and her children leave home, Gina McKee takes over to portray her journey through midlife and beyond. McKee delivers a captivating performance, breathing new life into the character as she grapples with the quiet emptiness and unexpected self-discovery that comes with being an empty nester. Finally, Deborah Findlay takes on the role of the woman in her older years, who, faced with a rapidly changing world, struggles to find her place in it.
Weaved throughout the play is music, skillfully performed by the actresses on stage and supervised by Thijs van Vuure, which provides an incredibly effective soundtrack to the woman’s life. There is also excellent lighting design by Varja Klosse that is particularly impactful in the closing moments of the play.
The Years is not just a portrayal of one woman’s life but an exploration of the experience of aging and the ways in which we are all shaped by the world around us. Overall, The Years is an extraordinary piece of theatre. Eline Arbo’s direction, combined with the outstanding performances of the cast, creates a work that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. It’s a testament to the passing of time, the complexities of womanhood and the evolution of society, all told through the lens of one woman’s life. A powerful, emotional and thought-provoking play, The Years is not to be missed. That said, prospective audiences should be aware that the play contains graphic and potentially upsetting scenes. Please read the content warnings provided when purchasing tickets as this play does not shy away from its portrayal of moments that may be difficult for some to watch.
The Years runs at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 19th April 2025.
Photos by Helen Murray