After seeing Calender Girls on Saturday I had the opportunity to see this new play from the pen of Martin Sherman at Chichester in the Minerva Theatre. I found this a compelling evening that kept my attention and left me wanting to read more about the people I had seen portrayed on stage. Robert Lindsay was a convincing Onassis and Diana Quick's portrayal of Callas was equally strong. Robin Soans stood out for his amazing delivery of a long monologue of the complexities of the relationships between Onassis and the Kennedy's and Quick's dramatic entrance at the end of that scene has stayed with me. I must also congratulate the other cast members who all contributed to a fascinating evening and give particular credit to Joe Marsh for his role as Alexander - the ill fated son of Onassis. I hope we will see a lot more of him though we saw quite a lot already (and very nice it was too!)

I wanted to book for this, but it went and sold out. Booo! Nice to read about it though. Think it stands a chance of going anywhere after Chichester?

I would agree with Ian Waltons review of this above. An interesting piece which invited further research into the life of Onassis. I think the problem with the play was that as Onassis was such a dislikable character it was difficult to empathise or get involved. For example at one point someone says that his son is nice and he replies "I don't want a nice son". Despite a packed house ( the play is sold out) a few did leave at the interval. Lindsay is good actor with a natural charm which had to be controlled for this performance. The Greek chorus of Onassis employees was effective as was the use of music and lighting although I found some scenes underlit and you could not see the actors faces. I love new work and I hope this has a life beyond Chichester but I would suggest it still needs a bit of pruning especially act one which ran for an hour and a half - act two was tighter and better at an hour. I have to say it didn't totally engage me.