Kyle Soller in Romans: A Novel [Marc Brenner]

AS the title suggests, Alice Birch attempts two things at once. Romans: A Novel is both a bold meditation on masculinity and a playful exploration of the novel from the 19th century to the present day.

Birch’s story follows the fortunes of the Roman family, three brothers, over 150 years, tackling questions of damaging masculinity, ambition and isolation. We open with Jack (Kyle Soller) meeting his uncle, recently returned from war. After their mother dies giving birth to Edmund, Jack – and later his younger brother Marlow (Oliver Johnstone) – are sent away to boarding school.

While Jack learns to survive the inevitable violence and bullying, Marlow chooses to embrace it, recognising that if you inflict violence, it can’t be directed at you. It’s a lesson that shapes the rest of his life.

Each brother navigates the pressures of male identity in different ways. Jack becomes a soldier, adventurer, cult leader and novelist; Marlow ruthlessly seeks his fortune, and Edmund (Stuart Thompson) struggles to feel comfortable in his own skin.

In Birch’s ambitious work, the acts reference (and mirror) different novelistic styles from modernism to metamodernism.

Not everyone will catch the nods to authors like Joseph Conrad, Ernest Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald (or perhaps Ted Hughes, whose literary partner was also institutionalised), unless they’ve studied literature.

It’s adroitly staged by Sam Pritchard and Merle Hensel’s versatile backdrop is utilised to great effect. Strong performances, including from the supporting cast, help offset occasional flaws in writing and pace, and Birch’s vision is impressive.

Until October 11
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