Kit Harington plays an aspiring Hollywood writer in late Sam Shephard's play Image: Marc Brenner
It’s a startling moment to first see the actor on stage in the opening sequence of True West. Is this mild, bespectacled character with a lush mooch really Jon Snow from Game of Thrones? In this avatar, Kit Harington transforms from the weary white walker nemesis to an aspiring Hollywood writer. But some themes are predictably universal. In the play, Harington faces down his menacing, thuggish brother in a crackling tale of sibling rivalry.
Having spent his 20s filming for the epic HBO series, he told the BBC that it was “emotional to leave the job indefinitely” But would he want to go back to do more? “Not on your life,” he said, adding that he enjoyed stage work too much.
The year 2019 will see the finale of Game of Thrones. Kit has been on stage before, starring in Posh, War Horse and Doctor Faustus, so naturally he couldn’t resist the call of the stage with True West. This is his “reset out of Thrones mode”, and probably a very good reason why the theatre was full.
Lee is a drifter with a dodgy track record who has just returned from a stint of soul-searching in the Mojave Desert. He looms over Austin and shatters the peace with his intimidating presence. He questions Austin’s writing and even his sedate life choices. Lee muscles in on Austin’s deal with the producer, and sells his own dubious tale of the Wild West to the Hollywood honcho instead. Happy reunion, it ain’t.
While the first half mainly is about two grown men having a go at each other, tables are turned after the intermission. Roles are reversed as Lee has to work on his script, while Austin isn’t particularly helpful after a few drinks. He takes Lee’s dare to steal a toaster a bit too seriously, and puts the entire neighbourhood out of reach of toasted bread in one hilarious scene.
The second half is where the renowned late playwright Sam Shephard’s script really shines. The writing in this act is peppered with humour and delves deeper into the concept of fierce sibling rivalry and dysfunctional family ties.
Even if the concept of the vanishing American West feels alien, the theme of turbulent family relationships and self-doubt is universal. Lee envies his brother’s success while Austin craves for the freedom from his placid life.
Matthew Dunster’s revival is the first on London’s West End since Sam Shepard died in 2017. The Pulitzer Prize-nominated True West features themes that prevail in Shepard plays – rootlessness, violence and volatility.
We still miss Kit’s hair though!
But fans expecting the craggy beard and stylish locks will be surprised. In True West, he puts on an American accent and sports a clean-cut look apart from a full moustache. And he gets to show off his comic timing, unlike GoT where he played the tortured bastard in battle heavily shouldering his responsibilities.
Kit Harington as Austin inspires empathy in spades as he is cast to perfection – compact, prim, bending over backwards to be accommodating while rebelling against type.
The play opens with Austin (Harington) babysitting his mother's house in southern California, virtuously watering her plants, while she is on holiday in Alaska. He hopes to make a deal with a Hollywood producer until his brother Lee (Johnny Flynn) intrudes on his peaceful retreat with his jarring, toxic masculinity.
