Reader Reviews
Bent (Trafalgar Studios (previously the Whitehall), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I was deeply affected --Alan Cummings was brillant. - 81.171.142.181) | 06 Nov 06 |
| Some of the reviews nearly put me off seeing this revival. Christopher Hart in The Sunday Times was particularly vitriolic and now I've seen the show I would say deeply offensive. I didn't see the first production in 1980, but I did see the NT revival in 1990. It seems to me that Daniel Kramer's interpretation gives the play a new relevance in 2006 without in any way detracting from the seriousness of its subject matter. It makes you realise how far we've come and how far we haven't come. There is real theatricality in the staging and the performances are superb. In the history of 20th century drama, this is an important play and you should not be put off by narrow-minded critics. It's great that we have work like this in the Wedst End (thanks again to Sonia Friedman) so go and see it and make up your own mind I'm really glad I did. - 81.129.166.108) | 24 Oct 06 |
| I had not attended a Whatsonstage event before but myself and my friend went to Bent with them and had a brilliant night. Everything was well organised and all the staff were friendly and helpful. Bent absolutly blew me and my friend away. The performances were amazing. Bent is an emotional, moving and thought provoking play. Alan Cumming and Chris New both deliver exceptional performances, as do the rest of the Bent boys! Top play, top cast, top director, top night! Will definatly be going back. - 81.138.6.86) | 17 Oct 06 |
| I attended the WOS outing - my first time, and I have to say I was very impressed with the whole experience. The theatre was packed out, the WOS team helpful and friendly, and the added bonus of having the opportunity to be part of a Q and A session with Alan Cumming, Chris New, Martin Sherman and Daniel Kramer made this the best £25 I have spent in a long time. I have read the earlier reviews and agree that the "Laughing Nazi's" don't work, and that the in the earlier scenes the actors seemed to be auditioning for a Carry On film. The scenes in their apartment came across as very hammy and over acted, rather than set the scene for the later brutal scenes. However, at the Q and A session Kramer was asked why he had decided to portray the Storm troopers this way. He explained that he intended them to be a modern parallel to how British Troops are behaving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how the US treats the detainees at Guantanomo Bay, a situation very close to his heart. The Storm troopers have worked with a Military Advisor who has first hand experience of what goes on, the torture and beatings that the detainees endure, and Kramer wanted this in his production of Bent. I commend his passion for these despicable events, and agree that the situation in Iraq, Guantanomo Bay and Afghanistan is barbaric and has to stop; however I feel that events of The Holocaust don’t need updating. The message “Bent” gives is horrific enough in its own right. Millions of Jewish People, Homosexuals, and Gypsies etc were slaughtered by the Nazi’s. There are and will be plays, films etc that will speak of the current atrocities, without using “Bent” as a voice. I am so glad I stayed for the Q and A session; otherwise I would have gone home completely confused as to why The Storm troopers were carrying on like the Droogs in A Clockwork Orange! The second half was beautifully acted and directed, the relationship between Max and Horst more than made up for an uncomfortable and confusing first half. To me going to the theatre is not just about the play and the actors on stage, it is about the whole experience, discussing the play, the seats, the bar, the loo’s, the marketing and the staff. It’s not a cheap interest, it is one I am passionate about, and I have to say if you get the chance to go to a WOS outing, go for it. I’ll be back! - 62.252.64.30) | 14 Oct 06 |
| I disagree that Sherman's original text deserves "classic" status, but the undeniable importance of revisiting its themes in troubled and less troubled times deserves constant revival. Here, it seems, we have two plays: a "Whoops Hitler There Go My Trousers" sub-Cabaret style farce in which Cumming is gratingly hideous, and few sympathies are drawn to him. The homoerotically presented stormtroopers further serve to unbalance the piece and make it increasingly difficult to side with the frothy characters of Max and Rudy. Great counterpoint cameos of the cadaverous drag queen and closet uncle Freddy are welcome punctuation marks between Cumming's one-note screaming. Fast forward to the second part where the brutality sports fewer cock rings and less lip gloss, and Cumming has to work even harder to match the searing acting of Chris New in the role of Horst but just about pulls it off by the end. Summary: too much Camp, not enough Concentration. - 195.93.21.104) | 14 Oct 06 |
| Thank you so much WOS and all the Bent Boys for probably the best play and Q&A I have ever been to! (WOS outing 12/10/06) Not a dry eye in our party, the play left us all deep in thought and emotionally drained. 10 stars! Awesome, amazing performances by all. Just go and see it for yourself. Julia. - 194.203.103.2) | 13 Oct 06 |
| I thoroughly enjoyed this play. It is thought provoking and provocative. However I did find the naked stormtrooper to be unnecessary. - 82.110.212.210) | 10 Oct 06 |
| Absolutely devastating: Daniel Kramer's dynamic, inventive revival of this classic play starts as high camp farce and ends up as a deeply moving celebration of love and the human spirit. Sherman has never written anything finer than the extraordinarily sensitive scenes where the men make love verbally without touching. Alan Cumming gives the performance of his career so far and he is matched by newcomer Chris New whose warmth, humanity and flawless technique mark him out as a star of the future. This is completely unmissable, a play that will genuinely affect everyone who sees it. - 195.82.123.181) | 07 Oct 06 |
| What a wonderful play! I'm confused that the other reviewers wouldn't agree... perhaps they had very cheap seats near the back? I found the play to be well written, and extremely well delivered. The staging is fairly basic, but then it's not about the sets. The story is witty, entertaining and at the same time harrowing. I will be going to the this again, and prompting all my friends to do the same. An important play, well presented. - 82.71.13.8) | 06 Oct 06 |
| This production ruins a brilliant and oft-moving play. The first half looks more like a bad comedy, camp and sometimes trying too hard, causing problems for the second half. Misguided direction, dull design, and any show that uses music by the Pet Shop Boys is DOA. Alan Cumming is miscast but the other actors impress. I will hold on to my memories of the original and write this off as a missed opportunity. What a shame! - 84.13.28.96) | 06 Oct 06 |
| I was very disappointed. Until the concentration camp scenes, the play is incredibly thin. It's not improved by uninspired direction and very poor design. Playing the Nazis as figures of fun is a very bad mistake. Once the play gets to the concentration camp, it improves substantially and the central performances are very impressive. However, the ending of the play which once seemed so impressive now seems merely a gesture. - 80.177.231.164) | 06 Oct 06 |
| Perfect staging, perfect lighting and a perfect performance from Alan Cumming. From the pathos of the opening act's comedy to the final scene, where the silence from the audience was staggering, one is gripped and reminded of the horror of the period. The only weak point is the directing of the Nazi troops which at times descended into silliness. That apart, it was a brilliant evening and should not be missed. - 84.70.207.228) | 06 Oct 06 |
