Frantic Assembly's Physical Brilliance Elevates Lost Atoms at Lyric Hammersmith
Anna Jordan's new play Lost Atoms, currently running at the Lyric Hammersmith in London, presents a fascinating study in theatrical transformation. On the page, this relationship drama follows a fairly conventional arc from initial attraction to inevitable separation. Yet in the hands of veteran physical theatre company Frantic Assembly, celebrating their thirtieth anniversary this year, the production becomes something genuinely remarkable.
A Relationship Under the Microscope
The play centres on the unlikely pairing of Jess, portrayed with edgy vulnerability by Hannah Sinclair Robinson, and Robbie, played with square-jawed intensity by Joe Layton. Their dynamic represents a classic case of opposites attracting - she brings passion and spontaneity to his world of stability and reliability, while he offers the solid ground her flaky nature craves.
Jordan's writing skillfully navigates their halting progress through familiar relationship milestones: marathon sex sessions, meeting parents, pregnancy scares, and even a trip to Grimsby. There's a gripping plausibility to their frequent roadblocks, with her flakiness clashing against his uptightness in ways that feel painfully authentic. Neither character fundamentally changes who they are, but their genuine affection for one another makes their struggle compelling viewing.
Defying Gravity, Literally and Metaphorically
Where Lost Atoms truly distinguishes itself is in Scott Graham's visionary staging. Under his direction, Jess and Robbie don't merely deliver their lines - they physically navigate their relationship's precarious nature. Andrzej Goulding's ingenious set design features a gargantuan filing cabinet whose drawers transform into precarious platforms, creating a constantly shifting landscape that the actors must conquer.
The sheer physical daring of the performances is breathtaking. Watching Robinson and Layton clamber, balance, and move across this treacherous terrain without mishap represents what can only be described as pure theatre magic. While one might interpret their physical precarity as mirroring their relationship's instability, the staging primarily serves as a brilliant theatrical device that elevates the entire production.
A Slight Stumble at the Finish Line
The production maintains its remarkable energy for most of its two-hour-twenty-minute runtime, though it does encounter some turbulence in its final moments. The slightly abstract, woo-woo nature of the finale feels somewhat disconnected from what precedes it, bordering on unnecessary silliness that doesn't quite land with the same impact as the earlier scenes.
Nevertheless, this minor misstep does little to diminish the overall achievement. For the majority of its duration, Lost Atoms represents Frantic Assembly operating at peak performance - taking solid writing and transforming it through physical theatre innovation into something genuinely special.
Practical Information for Theatregoers
The production continues at the Lyric Hammersmith through February 2026, with performances scheduled throughout the week. Ticket prices range from £15 to £45, offering accessible options for different budgets. The theatre is conveniently located at Lyric Square on King Street in Hammersmith, with excellent transport links via the Hammersmith Tube station.
For those seeking theatre that pushes physical boundaries while exploring universal human relationships, Lost Atoms delivers a compelling experience that demonstrates why Frantic Assembly remains one of Britain's most innovative theatre companies three decades after their founding.
