Reader Reviews
The Cryptogram (Donmar Warehouse, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I'm a big Mamet fan, but didn't really get this play when I saw the original production 14 or so years age. I decided to give it another chance, but it still leaves me cold. You can't fault the staging or the performances, but it seems such a pointless play! - 89.168.30.44) | 21 Nov 06 |
| thank God it lasted only an hour. My most irritating theatre experience to date - by far. Stilted, melodramatic hysteria. Take Ibruprofen - you'll need it or a strong drink after (or both) - 195.93.21.131) | 20 Nov 06 |
| I have to agree with the reviewer who complains what hope for the audience when the actors take weeks to understand the play! I really wasn't sure what the hell was going on - but the acting - was superb. I have only given 3 stars for the play - but would give 5 for the acting which in the Donnar's intimate interior was mesmerising. - 172.200.64.238) | 19 Nov 06 |
| Excellent. An engrossing play where gradually everything is revealed. Great performances from Kim Cattrall, Douglas Henshall and particularly young Oliver Coopersmith. The timing and sharp interaction between the characters was impressive. As a fan of Kim Cattrall, I very much enjoyed her emotive performance. - 81.131.48.40) | 18 Nov 06 |
| I am becoming increasingly tired of writers who seem determined to parade their intellectual superiority over their audience. If the cast have to spend weeks of rehearsals discovering the meaning of a play then what hope is there for an audience who have only one viewing. Stoppard is sometimes guilty of this but David Mamet really takes the biscuit here. The three acors are no more than adequate for the simple reason that they probably have no idea what on earth is going on - as did the audience. The Cryptogram actually made me angry as it was a complete waste of my time - the only puzzle is how 65 minutes can feel like 3 hours. - 62.6.139.13) | 17 Nov 06 |
| The characters were obnoxious and this is one to skip - 81.171.142.181) | 06 Nov 06 |
| I loved it. Great performances all round. Cattrall is very convincing. Henshall's timing is brilliant and he gets the accent right this time! Very sensitive performance from Oliver Coopersmith. - 86.141.66.123) | 16 Oct 06 |
| Probably the worst performances I've ever seen. Unimaginative, dull and emotionless. A debut for any actor, let alone a 10 year old kid should not be the Donmar - 137.205.109.48) | 16 Oct 06 |
| no doubt kim cattrall's performance will be better than ever. she's the best of her proffession and i for one cannot wait to see her at what she does best, back on stage. her biggest fan sarah winterflood from Luton - 194.82.157.150) | 10 Oct 06 |
