PLAY REVIEW: Inter Alia ★★★★

Inter Alia, currently running at the National Theatre until 13 September, is a follow-up or companion piece to Prima Facie, which had an incredibly successful run in the West End in 2022. Writer Suzie Miller and director Justin Martin reunite to present this searing examination of modern masculinity and motherhood.

Starring Rosamund Pike in a career-defining performance as a judge and mother grappling with the judicial system, modern society, gender roles, and raising her son in a seemingly increasingly hostile world. Jessica Sparks has worked hard to be appointed judge, she mostly rules on cases of sexual assault, female judges are preferred for these to put witnesses more at ease, and tries to be balanced and fair, while being all too aware of how difficult it is to gain a conviction in a he-said, she-said case. She prides herself on being a feminist and supporter of women, while wondering about the more traditional role she seems to have taken on in her marriage and the parenting of her son. But when an accusation hits closer to home, her life is upended and her convictions and morals tested to breaking point.

Pike is astounding in this challenging role, narrating the inner life of Jessica in a mile-a-minute train of though stream that exposes her inner conflicts, lived experiences, and struggles with her role in her own life. She has had more success in her career than her husband, leading her to teeter between reassuring him and defending the merit of her appointment to the bench, a delicate balance of standing her ground and giving in to maintain marital peace. Similarly, she grapples with her role as mother, wondering if she's done enough, or if she prioritised her career too much.

A breathtaking performance that's rounded out by Jamie Glover as husband Michael, and Jasper Talbot as son Harry, who gain increasing autonomy throughout the 1 hr 45 minute run time, speaking for themselves more and more, while Pike still dominates with narration and expression.