Reader Reviews
The Mountaintop (Trafalgar Studios (previously the Whitehall), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Simply the best new play I've seen in years. 90 minutes flew by as two actors on top of their form mesmerised the audience, making us laugh, whilst never forgetting tha legacy that was to be Martin Luther King Jr. The theatrical twist at the heart of the play works admirably and the author is uses it to develop the exposition of King's life's work. Lorraine Burroughs is amazing easily holding her own with the better known David Harewood and, when she demonstrates to King how he SHOULD put over his message, she almost steals the show. The run ends soon - but I do hope that more people get the chance to see what is a true theatrical experience. - Blair Kesseler | 02 Sep 09 |
| A highly original and well written play with two stunning performances from David Harewood and Lorraine Burroughs. Though it's great that something as good as this starts on the fringe and transfers to the West End, it does beg the question why aren't the Royal Court, NT et al developing new plays of this quality? Terrific. - Gareth James | 02 Aug 09 |
| WARNING: Please try to avoid reading anything which gives away the surprise in this remarkable new play. Up until that point the two-hander between Martin Luther King and a pretty room-service waitress had been illuminating and often extremely funny but because it focussed on King's human weaknesses I was worried that his memory and stature were being diminished. Then Katori Hall pulls off an astonishing twist and we are able to think more about King's achievements and legacy. Hall brilliantly gets her message across without being preachy and maintains the high level of comedy, building to a superb finale including an all too fleeting snippet of Obama, clearly establishing him as the fulfillment of King's crusade. David Harewood (who barely resembles King, but has the voice to perfection) and Lorraine Burroughs (looking like Whitney Houston in her better days) are sensational in a genuinely stunning new play. All credit to Sonia Friedman and ATG for transferring this to the West End so quickly - hopefully not too quickly for The Mountaintop to find the audience it so richly deserves. - David Baxter | 23 Jul 09 |
| what a great production, fine acting wonderful direction. loved it - chalres | 22 Jul 09 |
| This show turned out to be a marvellous surprise! The performances were mesmerising and the direction tight. I will definitely see this one again! - amdram1 | 21 Jul 09 |
