Reader Reviews
The Exonerated (Riverside Studios, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | a truly amazing, touching and heart breaking play, the sheer fact that all of these stories are true is enough to get you thinking about your own life. i watched the show on the 8th of april, and was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. all the actors from geraldine james to william jay marshall had you hanging on every word they said. i think it was likes of abdul salis,cecelia noble, geff francis and nigel harman who really shone in the play they all brought a bit of laughter to a very dark and thought provking situation. a fantastic night out and a fantastic play that everyone should watch. - 195.93.21.34) | 11 Apr 06 |
| I was absolutly thrilled to see all ten actors on stage. It was absolutly phenomenal!! It was a moving production and Nigel Harman was absolutly amazing. He literally took my breath away on how deep of emotion he was getting into. The production was very emotional and people realised how lucky we actually are. I would definetly recommend to see it. It's a brilliant production!After the show my friends and i wanted to congratulate the cast members of The Exonerated on such a high standard performance in which we did. Go and see it!!!!! - 81.152.156.202) | 11 Apr 06 |
| An absolutely amazing show, from the outstanding acting, to the great lighting and to the chilling sound effects. All the actors were superb in all their roles, some successfully playing different characters. Geraldine James was brilliant, as was Abdul Salis and Kerry Shale. Cecilia Noble really brought some laughter to this dark topic, shining some light onto the show. Another briliant actor was Nigel Harman, although he only appeared in The Exonerated briefly, he really fitted in well and was extremely convincing, touching us with his character and the memories of his brother. He delivered a fine speech at the end as well, "There are white buckets attached to ushers." We got the point (!), and many gladly put some money in for this just cause. - 84.13.64.219) | 11 Apr 06 |
| A very touching and emotional true story. Nigel Harman played the part of Kerry Max Cooke brilliantly, he has proved himself to be a very good actor indeed. I must say it was a very enjoyable night and all the cast were fantastic. I recommend everyone into theatricals to go and see this extremely good production. - 62.253.32.7) | 10 Apr 06 |
| An utterly compelling production,stark realism emphasised by the simple set without any of the trappings of theatreland. Not entertainment in the usual sense of the word but as Sunny Jacobs said,a monument to her late Husband,stories that need telling to a world that is still in denial about the horrors played out every day in prisons worldwide. Thought provoking and deeply emotional as you listen to the individual stories,played out by some remarkable actors who took you into a deep and dark world. Geraldine James spoke,as I'm sure Sunny would have wanted,not emotionally but merely stating facts,an exceptional performance. Nigel Harman moves up another notch in his varied career,a deeply moving performance as Kerry,easily on a par with Aiden Quinn. A strong cast with a very strong message,certainly not a performance for the faint hearted but I was enthralled from start to finish. - 82.3.66.239) | 05 Apr 06 |
| I saw it last night and thought it was a totally amazing experience. So thought provoking, so touching, moving and just so good. Not good theatre? Oh my days, it was the best theatre. The atmosphere last night was electric - you could have heard a pin drop. I was hanging on to every word they were reading. Every one of them told their story with such passion and emotion that it touched me like nothing I have ever seen on stage before. A must see. Nigel Harman, Geoff Francis, Geraldine James and Abdul Salis were outstanding. - 213.146.148.72) | 05 Apr 06 |
| While it is very worthwhile, I feel it is an empty theatrical experience. And not worth £25. Buy the book. I don't know about others but I wish it had not been so one sided. - 213.86.133.215) | 14 Mar 06 |
| However worthy the stories and however important it is to tell them, a bunch of people sitting on stools reading from a script does not make good theatre. It should be on the radio and in a book. - 86.130.207.61) | 07 Mar 06 |
| An evening of great dignity which you will find will linger on in your thoughts. Unquestionably moving but ultimately inspiring. - 62.6.181.62) | 07 Mar 06 |
| This is a deeply affecting, massively powerful piece of theatre, and one that should be forcibly shown to anybody who seriously supports the death penalty. The entire cast perform with a simplicity and truth that brings to life these true testimonies in a way that no amount of histrionics could. In amongst the tears there are a surprising number of laughs, and the overall message is one of forgiveness not anger. The night I went I was privileged enough to see Sunny Jacobs (who spent 17 years on Death Row, and who here movingly describes the state-sanctioned murder of her partner in the electric chair for a crime he never committed) playing herself, as well as Matthew Marsh, Delroy Lindo and the terrific Aidan Quinn, but I suspect that the sheer raw power of Bob Balaban's enthralling production would be hard to diminish no matter who was playing it. All in all, this is an important, thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting experience. Do not miss. - 195.82.123.181) | 27 Feb 06 |
