Christine Lahti in The Smile of Her [Mark Senior]

AMERICAN actor Christine Lahti has been nominated for eight Golden Globes and six Emmys, yet may not be widely known to British audiences.

The Smile of Her, an absorbing solo work she wrote and performs, marks her UK stage debut.

Over 90 minutes, Lahti, the daughter of Republican parents, Ted and Betty, recounts her journey from 1950s suburban America to challenging a patriarchal world where she has to unlearn everything she has been taught by her conformist family.

Her doctor-father believes men rule the roost; Betty learns to keep the peace with a stellar smile, while their six children strive to be as flawless as he perceives himself.

Ted bullies his wife and children. Lahti escapes to college, becomes a feminist, realises she wants to be an actress, changes her major to theatre and, on graduating, moves to New York. Her early years there are disappointing – she waitresses, performs mime in the park and starts therapy.

Clad in red, Lahti skilfully plays all the parts, joined onstage by a child actress (Jesamine-Bleu Gibbs on the night I went) as her younger self.

Eventually, after being told she is too tall, needs to smile more and submit to the casting couch, she makes her mark on Broadway. She marries a kind man, has children, moves to LA, and enjoys a successful career.

Her siblings are less fortunate. One sister, she reveals, endured terrifying abuse as a child, another is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

A poised presence, Lahti deftly moves between her comic and painful material. As her story unfolds, we wonder how she managed to flourish.

It’s an affecting play – a potent reminder of the cost of misogyny and what women continue to strive against – simply and effectively staged by Mêlisa Annis with Matt Powell’s dynamic projection design punctuating Lahti’s delivery.

Warmly recommended.

Until August 29
marylebonetheatre.com/