Best of Enemies
Young Vic. December 11, 2021
James Graham has done it again. Found a pivotal moment that we are feeling the direct impact of now. This House, Ink, Quiz, Labor of Love — I’ve loved them all and now Best of Enemies.
1968 was a year of political protest in Europe and the US. It was also the year that Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were assassinated. Tensions were high. Passions were high. Division was high.
In the world of political news, the 3 main US networks were battling it out for ratings. One network executive had an idea that would change the narrative of politics forever; notably Graham calls out Marketing being in the room when this decision is made. The network decided to get two renowned commentators of the day — William F Buckley and Gore Vidal — to give their opinions on the political conventions to chose the presidential candidates (for an election that Nixon would eventually win).
I had never heard of Buckley and I vaguely knew Vidal. I had never heard of the explosive TV moment. It makes for a brilliant denouement.
I loved it. The play is dynamic and moves at pace. It’s smart and sexy. It shows a clear connecting line between the decision of ABC in 1968 to make opinion the centre of their ‘news’ and the politics of today; where perceived personality is more important than morals and principles, for some.
Fantastic direction from Jeremy Herrin — I particularly loved the use of original footage in conjunction with the actor depicting that person and the fluidity of scene changes allowing for that real pace. Of course the set was Bunny Christie — clever.
The cast are AMAZING. Charles Edwards and David Harewood are electric and you feel the sparks. Special shout out to Syrus Lowe for his incredible performance as James Baldwin — fragile and piercingly perceptive.
5/5 Best new play of the year. Brilliant.
