vickster51

It's been a while since anything at the Donmar grabbed me but I'd love to see all three of these. I have a feeling getting tickets is going to be a nightmare.

Well I thoroughly enjoyed the first preview tonight. All the cast are very good, with a stand out performance from John Heffernen as well as Simm and SRB. The rapid fire pace of the dialogue was very impressive to watch and there are some fairly long speeches from some characters that were brilliantly executed. I didn't know what to expect from this play (knowing nothing about it beforehand) but found it to be a dark but very funny piece that I will need to go off and read more about (standard for me and Pinter plays!). I really hope it does very well and I'd be keen to return later in the run to see what has changed. Definitely recommended.

I saw this double bill at the Duchess on Tuesday evening and I was surprised by how much I loved it. I didn't know what to expect, after missing both at the National but I thought that putting both pieces together was very effective. The themes across both pieces shine out and the last few moments of Cocktail Sticks link it perfectly back to Hymn and the themes or childhood, family and our memories of them.

I enjoyed Hymn but I too preferred Cocktail Sticks, which I found to be an incredibly moving piece of theatre. It made me laugh, stirred memories of my own family and brought a tear to my eye at the end. It goes without saying that the acting is superb and I was lucky enough to be able to listen to some of the cast's thoughts about the production in the Q&A afterwards.

I would definitely recommend it.

I've booked the second Sunday preview on 30th June for £29.50. It'll be my first Punchdrunk production. Quite excited but I have no idea what to expect!

There are quite a few options in the area once you know it. There is the usual fast food along Finchley Road between the theatre and the O2 Centre, together with Costa etc. There are 2 major supermarkets as mentioned and the options in the O2 centre itself. I've eaten alone in Pasticcio fine on Finchley Road too. The Odeon cinema by the Swiss Cottage pub also now has a bar/restaurant I believe.

If you have time and are prepared to factor in a bit further afield, then get off the tube at West Hampstead. Left of the tube station there is a pub and down the first left (Broadhurst Gardens) there is a nice Italian (Sarasinos I think). Turn right and walk along West End Lane for plenty of options. You can then either catch the C11 bus back up Finchley Road, walk down Broadhurst Gardens, which brings you out on Finchley Road or hop back on the tube for one stop to Swiss Cottage.