Veteran actress Christine Lahti is putting it all out there in her unflinching autobiographical show, 'The Smile of Her', currently lighting up the stage at a Marylebone theatre in London. This no-holds-barred production, directed by Mêlisa Annis, lays bare the complexities of family life, the fraught relationships between mothers and daughters, and Lahti's own rollercoaster ride through showbusiness.
The narrative is a searing exploration of 'second wave' feminism, the #MeToo legacy, and the endemic objectification of women in entertainment. Lahti recounts being told she was 'too tall and not pretty enough' to make it, alongside the harrowing expectations of those hotel room meetings with their unmistakable undertones. But amidst these raw anecdotes are flashes of triumph – like winning a Golden Globe while, ahem, taking care of business – all served up with archival images and video clips.
The sheer breadth of Lahti's story is both its strength and weakness. Condensed into 90 minutes, it's a challenging ask, even for the most devoted fans. The minimalist set design, courtesy of Sarah Beaton, strips away distractions to leave us face-to-face with the sterile atmosphere of Lahti's childhood home – that 'midwestern version of the Von Trapps on steroids' she so wryly describes. On press night, a young actor by the name of Isabella Ford joins Lahti on stage, embodying her younger self and adding some much-needed dramatic depth.
Lahti's family dynamics are portrayed as a toxic cocktail of perfectionism, mental illness, rape, and loss – all wrapped up in a veneer of happy façade. The show doesn't shy away from these 'shocking, tragic and incendiary' incidents, but their summary presentation can feel like a whistle-stop tour. It's a shame, because when Lahti does delve deeper into these dark moments, the impact is nothing short of electrifying.
Ultimately, 'The Smile of Her' attempts to pack an awful lot into its runtime – and sometimes feels like it's sacrificing dramatic intensity for sheer volume of story. Yet Lahti's remarkable life, shaped by both personal struggles and professional triumphs, remains unmissable. This production may not breathe life into every issue, but it gives us a valuable glimpse into the world of this remarkable woman.