Reader Reviews
Awake and Sing (Almeida Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Dreadful. The acting, script and direction were all dire - the only thing to be said for it was the set! What on earth were the Almeida doing putting this on in the first place? Staggeringly over acted to the point of becoming a macabre pantomime. Surely black actors deserve to be given better material, which does not patronise or pigeon hole them, than this. And one other thing what was it with the clunky accents? It was an African 'ello 'ello. The incredibly slow response to applaud at the close of the first act tonight was a clear sign of what the audience thought of it. - rds | 21 May 10 |
| How can they get it so wrong? Michael Attenborough, whom I have great respect for, must carry the can. Stockard Channing, as Bessie Berger, is totally miscast as is Paul Jesson playing her husband Myron. They acted without any true depth of feeling. This production has no heart or depth of understanding of character and by understanding I guess I really mean truth. Possibly for a British audience it is too NY Jewish anyway - maybe not? But it certainly missed the mark by a mile. A real dissappointment when I know the Almeida can get it so right. 2 otta 10 - must try harder! - rds | 19 Oct 07 |
| Awake and Sing is about an impoverished Jewish family during the Depression. However in Michael Attenborough's production there is barely a hint of the desperation of that period and the anomaly of a rich brother is not addressed. Stockard Channing has far too much of the Upper East Side to be convincing as a Russian-Jewish matriarch but there is good support from the rest of the cast. The relationship between the grandfather and grandson is well-handled and Jodie Whittaker excels as the daughter who finally escapes the family prison created by her domineering mother. Unfortunately some of the choices made by Attenborough have reduced Clifford Odet's play to a family soap opera. - David Baxter | 17 Oct 07 |
| Hugely enjoyable re-appraising of a neglected American classic, bringing to mind the familiy stuggles of Miller's "All My Sons", Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" and Simon's "Lost In Yonkers". It's perfectly cast, with everyone turning in rich characterisations, and it would be unfair to single anyone out, such is the ensemble playing. A thoroughly traditional evening at the theatre, and all the better for the absences of 21st Century whistles-and-bells. - KJC | 18 Sep 07 |
| Years ago I saw Golden Boy and Rocket to the Moon and have forever since wondered why Clifford Odets is so neglected compared with other 20th Century American playwrights like Miller, O'Neill and Williams. This production just adds to the mystery as it is a very good play (though it only really comes alive in the second half), particularly as it was so early in his career. Michael Attenborough's production serves it very well indeed, with great use of the Almeida space and a terrific ensemble. With Big White Fog here and The Emperor Jones at The Olivier, this is proving a rich few months for neglected American plays. - Gareth James | 12 Sep 07 |
