Reader Reviews
A Voyage Round My Father (Wyndham's Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Derek Jacobi outdoes himself in this sterling and powerful performance. How he manages the energy to do it twice on matinee days, I have no idea, but I hope he goes on forever! - 156.34.145.74) | 01 Dec 06 |
| I have no idea why it took me so long to see this show as I am a fan of John Mortimer and his wit shines through this delightful play, albeit with an ending of unbearable poignancy. Previously I have not warmed to Derek Jacobi but he is magnificent with a wonderful combination of playfullness and irascibility. There is strong support from the large cast, particularly Dominic Rowan as Mortimer and Natasha Little who dares to ask the questions the rest of the family tiptoe around. Better late than never and one of the dramatic highlights of the year. - 62.6.139.13) | 16 Nov 06 |
| It really is no surprise that this production was sold out at the Donmar for it's entire run. If you would enjoy fine acting from a good ensemble and a truly superb performance from Derek Jacobi in the lead role then do go to the Wyndhams to see this. It is both funny and poignant with the final scene a tour de force from Jacobi - one of the best things on stage so far this year. - 155.136.80.23) | 29 Aug 06 |
| A few words about VOYAGE ROUND MY FATHER at the Donmar. The play is an undisguised dramatic memoir about the author's need to tell the truth about his past - Mortimer obviously thought his father a man worth meeting and I don't think many of the audience would disagree. It's a very English play with really only one big part which Derek Jacobi plays with scrupulous detail. He performs skilfully but one expects a good performance from Jacobi and it doesn't stretch him. The son, played by Dominic Rowan is there only to set up situations and paint the picture for the audience and he does this eloquently but remains a narrator. The audience loved it and I see it's to transfer to the West End. Good family entertainment. - 194.106.62.200) | 14 Aug 06 |
| I missed the productions, all those years ago, with Guiness and Redgrave and even Olivier's one on TV. I had heard such good things about it and I love Mortimer's brilliant irreverent comedy that I was anxious not to miss this. I was not disappointed. Jacobi was triumphant as Mortimer's cantankerous father who clearly shaped "the boy". Amongst the wonderful comic moments, in particular Christopher Benjamin's headmaster teaching the boys the facts of life by reducing the subject to "unsolicited....cake!", it has deeply moving moments as when Joanna David, touchingly playing the long suffering wife,is listening to yet another of her husband's rants with all the burden of her love for him etched upon her face. The other players are all excellent including the two boys who were on the night I saw it - Charlie Bollands and Jolyon Price. It is a four star play with five star performances. - 195.93.21.104) | 23 Jul 06 |
| It's a showcase for a "lion in winter" performance, which Derek Jacobi obligingly provides, but it's not much of a play. Dominic Rowan sinks into blandness as the son. - 71.130.57.216) | 21 Jul 06 |
| This survives the transfer from small screen surprisingly well, retaining all of its charm and poignancy. It's not a great play, but it is an interesting insight into a fascinating family and it is often very funny. Derek Jacobi is of course superb, but he gets great support from a surprisingly large ensemble, particularly Dominic Rowan and Natasha Little as son & daugther-in-law. When the lights go up on what was a plain, dark set, you are transformed into a country garden by such a simple yet effective design. Thea Sharrock's staging makes excellent use of the Donmar space. A charming, undemanding evening. - 86.130.206.83) | 11 Jul 06 |
| Worst thing I've seen at the Donmar ever! It's well acted and directed, but the play has no interest at all (maybe it has something for Mr. Mortimer and his family, but not for me). I've been many times at the Donmar, and I always like what I see there, and even the most controversial plays (recently, the Shepard and Ravenhill ones, which I like) have a good reason to be programmed, but what's the point in this one? - 82.111.155.34) | 18 Jun 06 |
| Another Rolls Royce production from the Donmar. Wouldn't be at all suprised if this transfers somewhere bigger, marrying as it does those two darlings of middle England, John Mortimer and Derek Jacobi. Thea Sharrock's perfectly pitched production is warm, gentle, funny and touching. For my money I'd've liked a little more dramatic conflict, but really this is Mortimer eulogising his wonderfully eccentric father at length. The dialogue is terrific, some of it is screamingly funny, and Jacobi is at the top of his game, truly magnificent. Lovely support from Dominic Rowan (as the son), Joanna David, Natasha Little and Christopher Benjamin. - 195.82.123.181) | 16 Jun 06 |
