Luce is about expectation. At the most obvious level, it is about parental expectation: two white, politically correct American parents have an adopted son, Luce, an African war orphan. He is an A-star student, his accomplishment is, in their view, their accomplishment too. When a teacher alerts them to an essay Luce has written praising a rightwing 1970s eastern European terrorist, and to the illegal fireworks found in his locker, to what conclusions will they jump?
Simon Dormandy (former actor and ex-head of drama at Eton, whose proteges include Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Redmayne) directs with verve. Natasha Gordon’s Harriet is excellent as the brittle teacher whose platitudes fool no one. Mel Giedroyc, best known as a presenter of The Great British Bake-Off, is a natural on stage, a mother for whom talk seems a form of denial. Nigel Whitmey plays Peter, the boy’s father, with the wry air of a man used to being overruled.
And Luce, the potential terrorist/ A-student (Martins Imhangbe) exudes languid goodwill but makes sure he stays open to interpretation. His friend Stephanie (smartly played by Elizabeth Tan) is not about to offer any reassuring character reference. The most intriguing thing about JC Lee’s skilful plot is that it plays with the audience’s expectations.
- At Southwark Playhouse, London, until 2 April
