Lucy Karczewski, Nia Towle and Jack Riddiford in Stereophonic [Marc Brenner]

A BROADWAY hit, David Adjmi’s award-winning play follows a successful rock band as they struggle to record a new album.

Set in 1976 in a Californian music studio (meticulously created by David Zinn), the Anglo-American ensemble is overseen by an ambitious but inexperienced sound engineer Grover (Eli Gelb), and his sidekick Charlie (Andrew R Butler).

Adjmi’s characterisation is superb. Charismatic singer-songwriter Diana (Lucy Karczewski) is bullied by her perfectionist partner Peter (Jack Riddiford), the band’s guitarist and producer. She is clearly talented but he undermines her creativity; presumably to avoid being eclipsed.

Keys player Holly (Nia Towle) is tiring of the excesses of her bassist husband Reg (Zachary Hart), while drummer Simon (Chris Stack) tries to keep the mood upbeat. Their dysfunction, fuelled by alcohol and cocaine, threatens to derail both the album and the band.

Over the course of a year, they squabble, stall, and re-record. Adjmi shows how each musician obsesses over their contribution, yet remains integral to the final sound.

The terrific cast play and sing live (songs by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, musical direction by Justin Craig), capturing the exacting demands of the recording process.

Stereophonic is about creative collaboration and, true to life, it’s messy and repetitious. At over three hours, Daniel Aukin’s immersive production is impressively authentic – right down to Enver Chakartash’s costumes – though the pace, and our concentration, inevitably dips.

Until October 11
stereophonicplay.co.uk