 |
Audience Reviews |
Journey's End"I would just like to say how much we enjoyed the production on Friday 16th at Brunton Hall, Musselburgh and apprectiated the tremendous amount of work which had gone into the performance. The set was amazing and the acting superb. Keep up the good work! Kind regards." Jan and Dave Gillies
"Just wanted to write to say how much we appreciated the performance of Journey's End at the Theatre Royal in Winchester on 30th March. It was a brilliant production; compelling, tense, convincing, and beautifully acted. Well done to everyone concerned. Some girls were sat behind us in the theatre, possibly 6th formers, and they were in floods of tears by the end...I've never seen such a strong response in the theatre - a real testament to the effect of the performance. Hats off. Best wishes." Joe and Becca Butchart
"I write to congratulate you on your current production of "Journey's End", which I saw on your first night in Winchester. This has been my favourite play for a long time, since I studied it for GCSE years ago. I was pleased to see that it appears still to be on the curriculum. I believe I have seen every production of the play since that time, at any rate I have seen all I have known about. Firstly, the acting was faultless. I am aware of how difficult it is to give an actor a meaningful crit; either they are too generous ("they did very well learning all those lines!!") or irritatingly picky, subjective and critical. Perhaps the best thing I can say is that I have had a very strong picture of each character in my head ever since I first read the play, and know many of their lines off by heart. In each and every case your actors fitted the character that I had in my head. From Raleigh's youthful enthusiasm, to Osborne's paternal friendship, to Trotter's lifting cheer, and poor Hibbert's distraught, ultimately brave, resurrected alter-Stanhope, all actors filled the roles allotted them with aplomb. Inevitably, however, any production rests upon the performance of Stanhope. It is difficult to think of a more difficult role. How can a young actor, who has never been to war, and as a professional probably never served even in peacetime, convey the essence of a man who is simultaneously an outstanding leader, and a nerve-stretched individual? In many cases these things are a contradiction in terms. In this case the result was a definitive Stanhope. Your actor managed to convey every drop of this character's decent, tortured genius, losing none of his personal agonies, but not overplaying them so that he becomes a weak, uninspiring leader. Stanhope represents everything that is admirable about man, and it was enormously moving to see him brought to life so vividly. From a production and directorial standpoint, I was delighted to see the note in the programme that explains that this is emphatically not an "anti-war" play. You have the interpretation of the play spot on. It is a play about respect and remembrance. Too often the production is highjacked to make a cheap political point on behalf of the director. This does the historical soldiers - in whose memory the play was written - a great disservice, as it does the playwright. The challenge for the director is Your production beautifully balanced the tragedy of young lives lost, with the respect, admiration and gratitude that these men are due. You do both the playwright and our dead from WW1 proud. As a personal view, I always feel the play ought not to have a curtain call. I appreciate that actors like to have one for obvious reasons, and audiences like to know when the play is over. However, the effect of the crescendo of "stretcher-bearers" and the rising shellbursts and gunfire, leading to the collapse of the bunker is, in my opinion, made devastating by a sudden silence, and the absence of the characters we have grown to love. But that is my personal view and your having a curtain call does not detract from your wonderful production. You might like to give it a go, though! I would be grateful if you would convey my congratulations to the cast and crew; they deserve to know how fine a production they are a part of and how much their efforts are appreciated. With all best wishes - and put me on your mailing list. Yours sincerely." Robert Courts
"Saw this last night in Peterborough. I thought it was an excellent production all round. However, what was outstanding was the set, the lighting and the sound effects - very realistic. Thanks." Adrian Addington
"I attended a performance of your production at the Theatre Royal, Winchester. Many congratulations - I was most impressed. The casting was excellent with a successful combination of experienced actors and young men which worked well. All the characters were credible. As a retired teacher I was well aware that you had a matinee audience with a high proportion of young people. You held them throughout. The quality of the production did full justice to R.C.Sheriff's material. Congratulations also for the sound effects. These were not overdone which must be a temptation but were well-judged . The building did seem to shake during the raid which gave the contrast with the quiet commented on in the earlier part of the play. Yours faithfully." P.V.Ward
"I would just like to say how much I enjoyed Journey's End at the Devonshire Theatre in Eastbourne on Saturday 27th March. The whole production was excellent in every way. The experience was certainly comparable with the best of West End productions. I will look out for future events by this company Well done!" Susan James, Eastbourne
"Thank you for giving Eastbourne the opportunity to see this important and moving play. No doubt Sherriff's personal experience of the trenches ensures a sense of authenticity, but superb acting from all the cast and an excellent set really brought the drama alive. I went home feeling much closer to the men who had, somehow, to cope with life and death on the Western Front. With best wishes for the remainder of the tour." Trevor Harvey, Eastbourne
"Before turning in for the night I wanted to thank you for today's performance of Journey's End and to tell you how important I feel it is for the younger generation to see and hear something of the reality of war and the principles which drove its young men to give of themselves for their country - for us. There were many young people at the matinee in Eastbourne's Devonshire Park Theatre this afternoon and they cannot but have found inspiration to lead a 'good life' from your portrayal of Sherriff's characters. This play, brilliantly directed and acted, is not a glorification of war. Neither is it anti-war. The selflessness of the men, uncomplicatedly certain of what they were fighting for, and what they were fighting against, as portrayed by someone who himself had witnessed what war has to offer, is a reminder to us all that life is not easy - but that decency and honour are things worth fighting for. I first saw this play many years ago at the Churchill Theatre Bromley, when the part of Raleigh was played by a young Martin Clunes. That was a performance I shall never forget. But your play definitely rivalled it. We also thoroughly enjoyed your Vincent last year. So, thank you, and keep up the good work." Jan Say
"We were lucky enough to be able to see South hill parks staging of Journeys end last night – and very good it was too. We had never seen or read it before although have seen other plays about World war I. We both thought the acting and staging was excellent and would like to congratulate you all and wish you luck for the future of this production. It felt very realistic – and as we were in the front row there explosions really vibrated through the seats. Well done" Helen & Carl Ruxton
"This is the first play I can recall seeing in my life and I suspect it is of a quality that will prove a hard act to follow. Though I know nothing of Theatre, I am nonetheless an expert critic and I liked this play a very... very lot. My review was corroborated on the spot by the assessments of friends and strangers alike. A salient piece in a Salient setting. I credit you with my resolve to become a regular theatre-goer and I will particularly be watching out for future productions by your good selves. I think I am right in saying that “The Madness of King George” is the next likely to visit the Fife area? Yours sincerely" Danny Wallace
"I thought I would drop you a note as I went to the performance in Poole on February 6th and thought it was absolutely marvellous. The acting was superb and the set, lighting , sound etc were fantastic. Many congratulations to all involved. The only disappointment was that the theatre was so empty which was baffling and a great shame for you - at the very least cheap or free tickets could have been given to schools and colleges to fill the place up. Best wishes" David Moss
"I just felt I had to write and congratulate you on your recent production of Journey's End. For me this has always been a most special and significant work. As a child I would view several different productions of the play. My father loved the play as he grew up through that war. He took me to see it many times. I have also seen the films and TV productions. I saw your production at Poole several days ago. I have come away amazed and emotionally drained but content. It was wonderful and easily the best version I have ever seen. What a wonderful set, perfectly constructed and the acting! As soon as I was home I watched a DVD of a BBC production some years ago. This was excellent but yours was stupendous, easily far more powerful and communicating how it must have been. The acting from all was superlative but forever Graham Seed as Osbourne will linger in my memory. I will immediately book tickets at Winchester to see this again in March. This time I will take my son. Thank you again and many congratulations to every single person involved in this production, how I wish I had it on film to view again and again. Warmest regards" David J. Williams
"I hope that the current season of plays is running successfully. I just wanted to mention that I saw Icarus' production of Journey's End at the Lighthouse in Poole last night, and was stunned by the staging and performances; the tense, confined atmosphere, moving portrayals of characters and sense of impending dread were incredibly poignant. I hope that the tour is going well. Best wishes" Amy Southby
"I and my two friends thought it was absolutely outstanding in all respects. It's a play I know and love very well, and I can honestly say, without hyperbole, that this production was better than the recent, very good, West End production. There was a tremendous strength in depth in the characterisation, with even the humblest roles being able to shine and I thought the relationships between the characters were very real. You managed to make it a believable period piece but still made it pertinent to today. I am sure R.C Sherriff would have been tremendously proud of such a detailed, absorbing production. Please pass on to my congratulations and thanks to all the cast and crew for such a wonderful evening in the theatre. Yours" Pete McCrohon
"I came to the Thursday evening performance of Journey’s End to accompany a group of school children from Wiltshire (120 miles round trip), and I was not familiar with this play. Your production was absolutely marvellous in every way, and I phoned the box office to book tickets for my husband and myself for this afternoon so that we could see it together. I just wanted to write and thank you all for such an amazing experience. It was truly brilliant! Best wishes for all the subsequent performances in your tour" Helen Gregory
"I was fortunate to see your splendid production of Journeys End at Basingstoke yesterday. Congratulations and grateful thanks to all concerned. It is the 4th production that I have seen, they have all had considerable merits, but yours I felt did give more effective expression of the text than the previous three. It was a very moving experience, as this great play should be. Thank you and I hope you will return to Basingstoke again soon" Rod Kempster Othello"I have just returned from your 2.30 production of Othello at the Norwich Playhouse and found it one of the most original and stimulating takes on Shakespeare's Tragedy. We heard every word, really enjoyed the addition of the music and singing and were impressed with every one of the actors. Please return to Norwich in 2010 and if you have an e-mail list for future productions, I would be grateful if you could include me. Best wishes" Paris Back
"Absolutely brilliant, I brought my 8 & 10 year old and they loved it. The best Shakespeare i have seen and the addition of the string instruments really helped to portray the mood. Many Thanks" Liz Wiltshire
"I wanted to write with my congratulations on such a brilliant
production of Othello. I was there for the Saturday evening
performance at the Chipping Norton Theatre with my wife and daughter
and we all thought it quite remarkable. You proved that great drama
doesn't require lavish production and a cast of thousands if the
players have got to the heart of the matter, the essence. I cannot
think of a Shakespeare production which moved me more or which
captured all aspects of the drama. All the actors deserve the highest
praise, but my wife and I were struck by the force of Laura Durrant
playing Emilia, a part frequently overshadowed by the greater figures
in the play, but played with such true feeling on this occasion.
"Hello, I just had to respond to the production of Othello -
fantastic, although heavy subject matter. From the inpired idea of
using music, the actors' ability and the set design.
"Just wanted to say that I saw the production of Othello at Harrogate Theatre on Saturday night and it was one of, if not the best performance I've ever seen. It was so refreshing not to see any gimmicks, just absolutely fantastic acting by everyone. The musical accompaniment worked brilliantly and I couldn't believe how talented all the actors and actresses were. Many thanks for an incredibly enjoyable and memorable evening. It's just such a shame the theatre was only half full - more fool the people of Harrogate, who probably decided to stay in and watch X factor instead! All the best with the rest of the tour. " Jayne Barnes
"Hi just had to e-mail and say WOW!!! We thoroughly enjoyed last nights performance at South Hill Park, the set was fabulous, the music divine, and suddenly the play was alive for us as both my daughter and myself are studying it, for A level and English degree respectively." All the best, Anita and Faye Bowden
"I was lucky enough to see your production of Othello at South Hill Park on Friday 18th Sep and I must congratulate you all on a wonderful performance. It was a magical evening and the cast were excellent." Thank you" Anita Harris "My wife, son, and I have just come back from a stunning and brilliantly original performance of Othello here in Stirling. It wasn't a full house but we really hope that your company will come back to the MacRobert. Plaudits all round." Leslie Smith Vincent in Brixton"Wow, what a production - we really enjoyed last night at the Wilde. Your attention to detail and perfection started with the set, through to the lighting and the excellent acting - I guess there was also a bit of direction in it somewhere! Really well done and all the best for the rest of your tour. We look forward to seeing your other productions at this level of
excellence."
"Thank you for an evening of incredible acting. We were bowled over by your performances. We also enjoyed the post-play chat - very informative and great
fun."
|
|