Strike, having made many attempts at contact, finally has his call returned by Sacha Legard (Chapter 33). Sacha is a famous actor, Charlotte Campbell’s half-brother and friend, and Rupert Fleetwood’s cousin. He asks Strike to meet him the following day at 3pm at the National Theatre, where he is currently starring in a play.
The National Theatre is located on the South Bank of the Thames, just to the east of Waterloo Bridge. The building was completed in 1976 and contains three theatres, the Olivier Theatre, The Lyttelton Theatre and the Dorfman Theatre. It is brutalist in style and architectural opinion was divided on its completion, and has remained divided since. It has been a Grade II listed building since 1994. The building’s foyers, bars, cafes and bookshop are open to the public and guided tours are available for visitors.
Their website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/home/
‘Strike had few strong opinions on architecture, but he’d always considered the brutalist building that housed the National Theatre, which resembled a cross between a multi-storey car park and a power station, one of London’s worst eyesores’ (Chapter 36).
Strike sees a banner advertising Legard’s play as he approaches the entrance. It is called ‘Death Is No Punishment’ and is based on the life of Dr Walter Loebner. No such play exists, although Dr Loebner (1903-1993) was a real life doctor and holocaust survivor.
Strike is met at the entrance by Legard’s assistant Grace, who leads him ‘across the vast, brown-carpeted foyer, with its high ceiling patterned like a gigantic concrete waffle’ (Chapter 36).
They ascend in the lift to the third floor.
Grace takes Strike to a small bar ‘reserved for the cast’ on the third floor, where Sacha is waiting for him ‘alone except for the barman’. The bar is described in the chapter as having wooden tables and ‘unflattering lighting’.
Strike asks Sacha about Rupert Fleetwood, including the theft of the nef during Sacha’s birthday party, and whether Sacha has any knowledge of Rupert’s current whereabouts.
Having been privy to Strike’s personal feelings about Legard and his treatment of Charlotte, it is no surprise that the interview descends into a row. Strike makes a strongly worded parting shot and leaves.
You can find the National Theatre on the map below.