The Score
26 February 2025
Theatre Royal Haymarket
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Score, currently on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until 26 April, is a new play by Oliver Cotton about two historic figures colliding through their opposing beliefs while being united in the love of music.
It is 1747, Frederick the Great is waging wars to greatly expand Prussian rule, while Johann Sebastian Bach just wants to live in peace to compose and teach music and study scripture. Fervently interested in music and philosophy, the staunch atheist king employs one of Bach’s sons at his court and summons the most revered composer of his time to his court. At the same time, Bach is disturbed by the conduct of the king’s army in his home town of Potsdam, not caring so much about who rules the land but more invested in people’s well-being and pursuit of theology and art. But speaking ones mind against a powerful king is not without risk.
The first act of the play consists mainly of people explaining the political and social landscape through small talk and conversation, it’s a bit dull and lifeless without much actually happening. Though the costumes and stage design are definitely on point. With gorgeous 18th century clothes and powdered wigs, a revolving parquet floor and period furnishings, and a stark black backdrop, it’s a beautiful production.
The second act definitely picks up when nerves run raw and there are intrigues and manipulations at play. A challenge turning into a high stakes wager that could ruin Bach’s son’s life, an ageing, devout christian composer challenging a war-bound atheist king’s ideas within a rigid power dynamic, there is very clever writing in the dialogue that flows through this play.
