Reader Reviews
National Anthems (Old Vic Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Irritating and dull. The odd line sparkles but every character seems so insular and glib. Very disappointing. - addicted to theatre | 20 Apr 10 |
| A story rooted deep in suburban America, so some of the references were lost on us and we didn't understand all of the football talk. Nevertheless, there were some great one-liners, a lot of laughs and, I have to say, an absolutely stunning performance by Stacey. I used to think he was a very good actor, now I realise he is a great one. He didn't so much act the part, he BECAME Ben the fireman and you watched fascinated as this outwardly cocky man's weaknesses, foibles, prejudices and fears gradually rose to the surface. What a performance. One of the very few times I've been in a theatre and joined the rest of the audience spontaneously rising to its feet to give a standing ovation. We'll be going back in a few weeks to see him in the Philadelphia Story. Can't wait. - 195.234.243.2) | 12 Apr 05 |
| Absolutely wonderful. Kevin Spacey is just stunning to watch. Steven Weber and Mary Stuart Masterson also shine. Don't listen to mediocre reviews from the critics. National Anthems is a great night out! - 193.108.73.47) | 05 Apr 05 |
| Don't listen to the newspaper critics: they may have their own reasons for criticising this play but make up your own mind. National Anthems has been criticised for being "dated". I find this amusing as, taking that view, Shakespeare or Les Miserables would be obsolete. It shows a point in time and reflects the decadence and materialism of the eighties. Kevin Spacey is a genius, so masterful in changing his voice and body language that I could see no resemblance to the characters he plays in films. The emotion and vigour with which he throws himself (quite literally!) into the role is a sight to behold. A very enjoyable night and worth the standing ovation. - 217.137.88.59) | 01 Apr 05 |
| This was a very good piece, well written and exceptionally well-performed; the stage presence of Spacey is remarkable. The intimate dimensions of the Old Vic allow the audience to be drawn into play and share in its vigor. The insights into American life, and what motivates the quest of many is beautifully displayed, and it is dated only insofar as some of the cues are a bit old-fashioned: italian furniture or a danish sound system do not have the same cachet as a trip to New Zealand or Harvard MBA have today. Overall, very much worth seeing. - 212.201.71.17) | 23 Mar 05 |
| Great performances from all three actors. Kevin Spacey is just amazing. I haven't seen Mary Stuart Masterson that funny and hilarious before (and I have seen her in a lot of stuff). Steven Weber is convincing as a dislikable, self-important and selfish man. The audience seemd to enjoy the play very much, no matter what some media critics had to say about it. I can just recommend it. - 193.122.47.162) | 23 Mar 05 |
| A Fantastic performance that took the whole audience on an emotional rollercoaster! One of the best pieces of theatre I have seen in many years. Having taking a group of GCSE and A Level students with me to see the play, they were all inspired and moved by excellence! - 212.85.1.1) | 22 Mar 05 |
| Late 80s tale of yuppie couple who are visited by a neighbour in the suburb they've just moved to. They're trying to clear up after a dinner party, and can't seem to get rid of their visitor. This sets the scene for an evening of humour and tension that I found entertaining and enjoyable, driven by three solid performances. The general tone of the press notices suggests it's a damp squib but while it's not stunning, it's good and on balance worth seeing. - 194.82.50.2) | 02 Mar 05 |
| Although this may not qualify as a great play it is a very good one. Most reviews seem to regard it as a dated look at the materialistic valus of 80s American suburbia but I think it is also about Kevin Spacey's character's attempt to recapture the lost glory of his younger days as a High School football star. The climax of the play shows how futile those attempts were leading to a dramatic breakdown. If the writing is not absolutely top-class the performances certainly are. Stevn Weber and, particularly, Mary Stuart Masterson are excellent but Spacey's incredible performance makes this the must-see event so far in 2005. He is in turn subtle, humourous, vindictive, taunting, raging, violent and then broken but is always impoosible not to watch compulsively. It is not too soon to believe that Spacey deserves to wrap up all the best actor prizes for this bravura performance. - 62.6.139.13) | 25 Feb 05 |
| I can honestly say that this is the best play I have ever seen & I feel privialged to have seen it. From the start Kevin Spacey seemingly had Saturday night's audience in the palm of his hand. The play showed both it's comedic side, (one I didn't know it had), & it's raw emotion. In the second half you range from "laugh out loud" to a quiet stunned silence as Ben Cook slowly breaks down in front of our eyes. The emotion portrayed by all three actors held the audince's attention with a stunned silence, only broken by the raptuous applause when the lights went down. Do try to go & see it, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. - 84.66.254.13) | 13 Feb 05 |
| This is not a great play, but it is a play 'of its time' which is interesting, beautifully performed, wonderfully staged & designed and worth a visit. It is so sad that the welcome we gave Mr. Spacey has turned into a backlash. He makes perfectly accurate comments about noisy audiences and we react badly. He is brave enough to try new plays at the Old Vic and we slag him off. No doubt he will whinge at the incessant photo flashes from the stalls during the curtain calls and we'll say its his out-of-control ego. For goodness sake, the man is having a go and making a few mistakes along the way - give him a break ! - 81.136.191.98) | 11 Feb 05 |
| Well I am sorry to report a very strong acting company of three can not save this mid 80's play. Why did Mr Spacey feel it was worthy of being part of his first yeat in charge of the Old Vic? I feel this was lazy on his part, having played the same role then, the play is so very dated and not worthy of this production so many years later. It also is a very short play, if they took the interval out it would build tension well and run at about 100 mins. Lets look forward to some American classics and leave the past three shows behind. - 217.13.129.151) | 10 Feb 05 |
| While the play may be no classic it does make an very entertaining night of theatre and an excellent showcase for Kevin Spacey's talent. The range of his character's part allows him to portray knowing humour, physical aggression, sly chumminess, despair, joy + a sense of inferiority AND superiority. It's a testament to his skill that you accept he can go through such a tumult of states in such a brief time and remain a believable, living breathing character. Looking back the storyline seem subservient to the critical judgements it makes about 80's America - but at the time of watching it twists and turns into unexpected directions ensuring you are always engaged. If you go expecting a landmark piece of theatre you'll be disappointed, but for first rate acting from Spacey and his co-stars and a thought provoking night it is recommended. NB Several of the theatre reviews I have read give far too much away about the play's plot - spoiling much of the 2nd act's impact. - 132.185.240.122) | 09 Feb 05 |
| For a fairly ordinary looking guy, Spacey has the absolute ability to draw your eyes to him alone. He does it again as Ben Cook in National Anthems. Set in Detroit suburbia where the newly arrived upwardly mobile twenty somethings of the 80's live side by side with home-grown Mr and Mrs Average. Mary Stuart Masterson and Steven Weber perfectly convey the Armani suited, shoulder padded young marrieds who lap up their their nosey neighbour's tongue in cheek flattery and invite him into their chic European designer home for a beer and possible connections to the the neighbourhood's other new wealthy. The first half of the play crackles with Cook's tart obsequiousness letting Spacey show off his flawless comic timing, but only the audience is aware of the undercurrents of resentment that will lead into the second half's explosive confrontation. A tragedy unfolds as the the underdog bares his soul and the achievers face the barren reality of their shallow lives. Riveting, this is a poignant observation that we can all relate to. A must-see for all theatre-goers. Spacey fans in particular, are for a treat. - 81.131.194.235) | 02 Feb 05 |
