Reader Reviews
All New People (Duke of York's Theatre, West End)
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 | Like many theatregoers I have a preferred critic whose views most often coincide with my own. In my case it is Charles Spencer's broadsheet highbrow knowledge (which I could never aspire to) with a healthy dose of populism. He was virtually alone in not trashing Zach Braff's All New People. I love the acidic American East Coast humour of Neil LaBute also found in Becky Shaw which Peter DuBois also directed and for most of the 95 minutes running time I thoroughly enjoyed Braff's debut play. Yes, the four characters are pretty irritating and self-obsessed and the secret revelations don't amount to much, but the visual and verbal gags are often very funny. Unfortunately, it seemed to be building towards a dramatic twist which failed to materialise but Braff's taut script is superbly played by a terrific cast. It has been claimed that the character of Kim, the high cost "escort", is a cliched male fantasy but so what when she is played by the stunning Susannah Fielding, previously of the RSC, who gives one of the sexiest (and funniest) performances I have seen for a long time. All New People may not have anything profound to offer except an hour or so of entertainment but sometimes that's preferable to three hours of Eugene O'Neill's misery. Incidentally, who knew Scrubs or Zach Braff was so popular over here? I haven't seen so many people around a stage door since Orlando Bloom appeared at this same theatre. - David Baxter | 12 Apr 12 |
| This starts off an average sitcom, with contrived yet funny jokes taking centre stage, and ends up a sub-par Breakfast Club for adults, with each of four different individuals baring their pain and coming together in some kind of understanding. Susannah Fielding gives a loveable and funny performance as a high class call girl, and for me, that made this worth my time. Still, this 95 minute show feels too slight for the Duke of York's Theatre, but it's raison d'etre revealed itself at the stage door where an immense flock of Zach Braff fans gathered to meet their idol. I got the distinct feeling that contrary to the title of the play, there are not "All New People" filling the stalls each night, but rather the same ones going again and again and again. - steveatplays | 11 Apr 12 |
| Good light entertainment. Not riproaringly funny but didn't look at my watch once. - Sue B | 31 Mar 12 |
