Lilith – New Wimbledon Theatre

The stage is stark – white and blank save for the tree in the centre, laden with red fruit. This is the setting of an ancient story, the characters well known. You already know what that tree is, what it is going to do to Adam and Eve. But what of Lilith, the one who fell through the pages, the first companion of Adam, banished from paradise?

The play – directed by Olivia Swain and Aimee Dickinson, written by the latter along with Aliya Gilmore – tells the story from the much-vilified Lilith’s perspective. Created along with Adam as a single entity “with four limbs and twin mouths”, Lilith was then cleaved from Adam and each named after the rhythm of their heartbeats.

Together, they explore the garden of Eden with the delight of children, tasting fruits, naming animals and flowers, marvelling at the stars. Lilith is the curious one, yearning to learn more, to experiment, and to push boundaries. Adam is content, asks no questions, and would prefer it if his companion would stay still for a bit.

And one day, Lilith is gone. Did she leave of her own accord? Was she sent away because of her restlessness? Whichever that may be, God creates a replacement – Eve – docile, eager to please. She looks like Lilith, but in Adam’s eyes, will never live up to Lilith. She is conscious of being the second one of always being in competition with the first. With Eve, Adam is aloof, more protective; it is no longer a journey of equals, but of a leader and a docile follower.

In her loneliness, Eve finds a friend – Lucifer.

The narrative is in the form of flashbacks as Lucifer and Lilith – two creatures who share the common ground of having fallen from grace – share their stories. In Lilith, you see regret and a longing to go back to Eden and Adam. In Lucifer, you see a vulnerability and a yearning to find Eve’s favour. As the story proceeds, you see the weight of knowledge smear them – black on their pristine white clothes.

The two actors – Isabel McGrady playing the roles of Lilith and Eve, and Oscar Nicholson playing Lucifer and Adam – give a brilliant performance that keeps the audience fully engaged, without a single slack moment.

The script is witty and very up to date, seeing as how it incorporates some trending jokes from the ongoing US presidential campaigns. Lighting design (by Dragos Farcas) is used to great effect to separate the different parts of the storytelling – a harsh white light for Lucifer and Lilith, warm tones for Adam and Lilith, multiple hues for the layered interactions between Eve and Lucifer.

Mythology paints Lilith as a baby-stealing demon. This new version presents her as a woman who loved her freedom and was punished for it, pushed into a world of the discards. A powerful and touching retelling.

Reviewer: Savitha Venugopal

Reviewed: 23rd September 2024

North West End UK Rating: