Reader Reviews
The Sunshine Boys (Savoy Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Neil Simon hasn't ofetn transferred well to this country and in recent years even Broadway seems to have grown tired of one of its own. The Sunshine Boys is a good example of why - it's an ofetn very funny portrait of two estranged vaudeville performers but also seems as dated as their sexist routines which act as the catalyst for their reunion. What made the evening so enjoyable though was a masterclass in New York comedy acting from Danny DeVito and it's extraordinary that this is his first stage venture for many years. Adam Levy is excellent as his long-suffering nephew and even the peerless Richard Griffiths seems happy to provide a foil for DeVito's genius for physical and verbal timing. This is never better displayed than in the superb finale as the two irascible old-timers gradually edge closer together in a scene which, though deliciously funny, also offers a poignant final glimpse of these two old sparring partners. The Sunshine Boys may not have convinced me of Simon's continued relevance but it offers a truly great performance which DeVito seems to be enjoying as much as the audience. - David Baxter | 23 Jun 12 |
| I really enjoyed the show . I liked DeVitto's play very much and I think this show is very worth to see. - Sarah | 14 Jun 12 |
| The reason to see this is Danny DeVito. Noone, absolutely noone else, could have mined this dated cliche ridden script for so many laughs. He is a brilliant comic actor, and it is a privilege to see him. Richard Griffiths is not his match, but that is not because he is not a good actor. It is because his performance is perhaps too realistic, too huffing and corpulent and old to generate comic energy. In fact, the scene that DeVito shares with the tall busty nurse is even funnier than the scenes he shares with Griffiths, because the nurse bounces his zany comic energy right back at him with her own mirrored comic exaggeration. DeVito can play the serious scenes with total conviction, but when there is a whiff of a laugh, he musters that interior comic energy, that absolute confidence in the audience that when he strikes for the comedic bullseye that he will not miss, that slight overexaggeration of mood that cues the audience that a laugh is coming. The funniest comedy in the West End is One Man Two Guvnors, and there is not one realistic performance in that whatsoever. James Corden was not good because we believed him, he was good because we knew he would make us laugh, because he wound up the character to frenetic comic levels when the time came for a laugh. And in all honesty, I don't believe that Corden could have topped DeVito's performance here. If the West End can get DeVito back again to do more, we really should. He brings it! - steveatplays | 23 May 12 |
| I don't know what the reviewer was watching. I had to run away at the intermission, it was so bad. And I'm convinced that if it weren't for famous actors performing, then all the audience would have run away with me. Out-dated slap-stick script, poor over-acting, and predictable timing. Awful. A chair being moved from 90 degrees angle to a 45 degree angle got roars of laughter from the crowd - if it weren't for Danny DeVitto moving the chair, I expect the theatre would be silent and bored. As I was. View at your own peril... - I don't care for celebrities get me out of here! | 18 May 12 |
| I agree with Heather, what difference does the height or girth matter---I don't think Neil Simon wrote this playe with either of these things in mind. As with all Simons plays--sheer entertainment and soem witty lines and scenarios. The cast is good with Griffiths in good form but I must say the night is Mr De Vito who delivered his lines with true grit--a great performance and sure next year will nominated in the Oliviers and Whatsonstage awards. Go and see this great night of theatre. - Joe Spiteri | 18 May 12 |
| Can i just say what a horrible way to start a review....for one thing what does it matter about an actors height etc but what i was most offeneded by was your description of how bloated richard griffiths was comparing him to moby dick....he is an acting legend whos sizes does not affect his performance.i saw this production on the second performance and it is one of the best things I've ever seen in my life.....yes both men are legends in acting but seriously Danny devito is beyond brilliant considering this is his west end debut. If you get the chance to see this production do it as I highly doubt you'll ever get to see such a pairing onstage ever again. Michael Coveney I think it is time you give up being a reviewer as you seem to concentrate on more things other than the production....please can we have someone new whos reviews actually make sense and aren't offensive - Heather | 18 May 12 |
