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Reviews |
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Journey's End"The evocative portrayal of life in the trenches during The Great War had a profound effect on Guildford theatregoers on its opening night at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. It’s always a sign of a good play when you wake up the next morning and think about the characters within 5 minutes. So credible were the ten strong cast of Journey’s End at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre that I didn’t just wake and think about the characters, I worried for them. Never before have I seen an audience leave the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre so quietly, so deep in thought and so full of humble respect." Tinx Newton, Guildfordeye "The Original Theatre Company and Icarus Theatre Collective of London, meanwhile, are on tour with a strong and deeply moving production of RC Sherriff's great play Journey's End, set over 24 hours in an officers' dugout near the Western Front during the First World War. Sherriff's play makes no bones about the limitations of the characters it portrays: the terror they feel, the drink they need to get them through, the class attitudes that surround their life and work. But it is also relentless in its exposure of the pitiful waste of life in a war that made some English attitudes – and some key aspects of British society – impossible to sustain, and in Alistair Whatley's fine production there are outstandingly subtle, heartfelt performances from Graham Seed, Tom Hackney and Christopher Harper as the three officers at the centre of this magnificent story, about a war that did not end all wars, but changed everything." Joyce McMillan, THE SCOTSMAN **** "Director Alastair Whatley has assembled an all-round fine cast for this exceptional touring production by the Original Theatre Company and Icarus Theatre Collective. It’s a penetrating and perceptive account of Sherriff’s masterful microcosm of war, of its time, but clearly not without relevance today. On the opening night the performance was cut short by a malfunction of the safety curtain, which added to the drama. But this production is worth journeying to Buxton for – a rare chance to see a real classic immaculately performed." Philip Radcliffe, MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS **** "The Hexagon audience was a mixture of young history students, coming to the play for probably the first time, and people who were perhaps much more familiar with Sherriff's story, based on his own First World War experiences. Regardless, all were left in respectful hush at the climax of this superb rendition of a lasting testament to the cruel horror of conflict." James Kell, The Reading Chronicle "Journey’s End is very much an ensemble piece and it would be difficult and probably rather unfair to pick out one actor over another. Each and every performance is consummately delivered. Indeed, this is a profound piece of theatre that highlights the heroism, humour and tragedy of warfare." Steve Burbridge, UK Theatre Network "Although there is a surprising amount of humour – much provided by Mason (Adam Best) and Trotter (Gareth Davies) – don’t go expecting a laugh. But do go." Mark Tallentire, The Northern Echo "Journey’s End needs no adornment or interference, something that director Alastair Whatley plainly understands in this fine Original Theatre Company and Icarus Theatre Collective production. Aided by powerful ensemble acting, the words are left to speak for themselves." Giles Woodforde, The Oxford Times "Time is almost at a standstill as everyone waits for the attack and the tension created is truly palpable. The ending is heart-wrenching as the inevitable tragic climax is played out. Directed with clarity by Alastair Whatley this was a thought-provoking evening that makes a passionate case about the horrors of war. Highly recommended." Robin Strapp, Newbury Weekly News "With a great set, lighting and sound and genuinely believable costumes, this is a fine reading of Sherriff’s play made all the more relevant by the rising death toll in Afghanistan" Jeremy Miles, Bournemouth Echo "This powerfully emotive production brings together the dusty claustrophobia of the First World War front line trenches and the touching camaraderie of its soldiers in arms with poignant credibility...A masterpiece" Julie Watterston, The Stage "While I cannot speak for the rest of the full house at the close of Alastair Whatley's gripping new production of R.C. Sherriff's Journey's End at The Haymarket, Basingstoke, this week, my own feelings were of something lost" Kevin Catchpole, The British Theatre Guide "Journey’s End is a timepiece that still strikes at the waste of war" Donald Hutera, THE TIMES **** "Journey’s End was a slick and professional affair, well acted and sensitively staged" Lucie Richards, Basingstoke Gazette
Othello"The cast performed in perfect harmony both musically and with the text and the multi-use sets, and simple but effective lighting and sound kept the audience engrossed in the action to the very bitter end." Neil McEwan, The Scotsman "A fascinating production" Mike Allen, The News "A heartbreaking tale of jealousy, passion, love and remorse was poignantly performed at the Harrogate Theatre" Alice Williams, York Press "This was a beautiful version of Shakespeare’s Othello" Sonia Kapur, Maidenhead Advertiser
"Combining Shakespeare with a live string quartet ensured that a new
production of Othello was on song for the start of it's national
tour." Vincent in Brixton"Brooding, malevolent, marvellous and magnificent...it is a work of art" Paul Thomas, Bucks Free Press "Perfect Pitch...Lin Blakely, as Ursula, has to travel a million emotional miles during the course of the play and seizes the opportunity with relish" Francis Batt, Windsor Express "A NO- TO-BE MISSED TREAT" Roger Paine, Eastbourne Herald "Expert comic timing belying the catastrophic effect" Robert Cohen, The Argus "Everything melded together to produce a powerful play" Ros Collins, Surrey Advertiser "It is rare to come across a show with such artistry, intelligence and talent and for that reason this is a must-see show. So far this is the play of the year and if patrons see nothing else this year, this is the show they need to see." Paul Bowers, Farnham Herald "This emotional and passionate work was truly a delight, and maybe urged the audience into further research of this priceless artist." Julie Watterson, The Stage "This amazing play shows us the darker destructive side of love intertwined with love...a fantastic theatrical experience." Surrey & Hants Post & Gazette "Mark Edel-Hunt gives an excellent performance as Vincent. His well-studied Dutch accent and strong characterisation is the lynchpin to the success of this production, as Edel-Hunt develops Vincent’s character from a young, excitable foreigner in London into the beginnings of the Van Gogh that history remembers." Martyn Jex, The Maidenhead Advertiser
The Importance of Being Oscar"...very professional and absorbing performance of a piece that deserved to be revived." Suzanne Hawkes, Remotegoat.co.uk
R&J"Stripped-down bard with an impressive cast" Chris Tracy, Eastern Daily Press "This production will make you think, and I for one will remember it for a long time. The alienation (the school setting, the reading from a single textbook) distances one slightly from the pathos: I didn't need the tissue which is usually essential for the closing scene. But I was very happy to join the mainly teenage South Hill Park audience (some of whom had been audibly embarrassed by the love scenes) in whooping and cheering at the end. You wouldn't want this to be the only Romeo and Juliet you ever see, but you certainly won't regret spending an evening with it." Andrea West, Remotegoat.co.uk "What makes this production so mesmerizing is that while you are watching the Shakespeare classic you are also seeing the relationship between the four young men unfold. And although most of the dialogue is done through the words of Shakespeare, double meanings are rife through much of the language, as well as the action. Some fight scenes almost become real, for example, and the way the boys react to parts of the play sheds a fresh light on some of the dialogue." Anthony Dearie, Jersey Evening Post "We all know where these star cross’d lovers are heading, but the four students write their own ending in Juliet’s tomb. This compelling, captivating production really should be seen. Go along-your inner 13 year-old will thank you." Fiona Hannon, Bracknell Times "If you see just one Shakespearean play this year, make this one" Nina Romain, as featured on Whatsonstage.com ***** "Art imitates life and life is enriched by the power of
theatre...as Alastair Whatley's production casts new light on this
most romantic of plays" Taming of the Shrew"An unforgettable experience of great theatre, great music and a great unique Venue, surely one of the UK’s leading touring theatre companies" EAST MAGAZINE "Different at times unwieldy but throughout passionate, exciting and just plain fantastic. Very impressive! FIVE STARS *****" Whatsonstage.com " …Wonderfully Staged in The Abbey Gardens..performed superbly" Bury Free Press "Laugh out loud funny… brought beautifully to life by the original
theatre company" Reading Chronicle Twelfth Night“This Production is simply Outsanding” Plays International Magazine “One of the top 5 shows in London” The Independent “ 5 STARS, SUBLIME!” Edinburgh Three Weeks “Innovative, Fresh and bang up to date” BBC RADIO “Sterling Performances, Twelfth Night delighted it’s audiences with some very welcome Midsummer Madness!” Western Daily Telegraph “Enjoyable, highly entertaining and strangely moving” The Stage |
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