Galery

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The play was performed in the packed auditorium of the Novello Theatre during the whole season despite the sceptical assessments of the strict English theatre critics. Undoubtedly, the exceptional cast contributes to the success of the play. Robert Lindsay is superb in the role of Aristotle Onassis. One of the most popular faces of the contemporary English theatre and film scene, winner of the most prestigious British award BAFTA and Tony has mastered all the body language, mannerisms and international accent of the legendary Greek shipping tycoon. The audience instinctively believes his Onassis - ruthless, cynical, whose philosophy is "I snatch at everything I want" and who died lonely and unhappy despite all the money he had.

Equally convincing is Lydia Leonard in the role of the identically powerful and ruthless albeit in different ways Jacqueline Kennedy. Again, the visual similarity and imitation of the accent and the voice of the America's first lady is impressive. Smaller, but played with the same grace, is the role of Anna Frankolini as Maria Callas.

"Onassis"'s season at London's West End ends on January 8, 2011 and the play is unlikely to be performed ever after. Of course, it would try visit Athens, Washington or Boston, but the Foundation Alexander Onassis would probably not allow it. As for the historical truth – well, we would certainly knew it if Wikileaks existed 40 years ago. The truth is that the characters of Martin Sherman are credible and convincing and just as outrageous and provocative as Aristotle Onassis himself.