Reader Reviews
Angels in America (Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Only 2 stars as I felt what was on show was rubbish - sort of university drama department effort but, and it's a big but, it does have potential. There was too much of a Andy Nyman's irritating professor Goodman to start with and too few scary bits. However, it did make me think why someone else hasn't tried this idea before, The Woman In Black excepted. With a major rewrite, lots more scary bits, then I would not be surprised if a run in the West End would not be out of the question. Oh, and why the Jewish thing? That should be dropped for starters. But apart from that I wish them all good luck their original piece of theatre. - rds | 08 Apr 10 |
| For me, the sense of it being very of its time was too overwhelming. It's a great play, and deserves its accolades but this production didn't cut it. I remember the NT early 90s one zipping along, buzzing with energy and gripping me from early on; this production had none of those attractions. Plus I'm no fan of soul warbling, so presenting some of the Angel's dialogue in that way was grating. I enjoyed Mark Emerson's performance and one or two others but was very disappointed by Greg Hicks, who just didn't convince me as Roy Cohn. His normally clear delivery was thrown off by the (not too great) accent and his physical performance was too like someone in an acting class trying really hard to get top marks. That NT production remains a highlight of my theatregoing experience and I have a lot of affection for this play, but Headlong's production simply didn't engage me, I'm very sorry to say. - Backdrifter | 16 Jul 07 |
| Tony Kushner’s ‘Angels in America’ mixes realism and fantasy in a truly dazzling play which Daniel Kramer transforms into this intense production, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a story of hope, faith and religion, mixed with wit sarcasm and dark humour. The inventive and striking design matched the flawless performances by the actors, especially Kirsty Bushell who was stunning in her performance of the hallucinating pill-popping Harper and Mark Emerson who was simply electric as the AIDS-suffering Walter. Although the performance is a total of 7 hours, and would have been physically demanding for the actors to say the least, the two parts fly by in a rush of artistic brilliance. A dramatic production – definitely not to be missed! - E. | 12 Jul 07 |
| This play is so grounded in its time that it can never have the same impact 20+ years on. Having said that, it stills packs more punch than any play written in recent years and here is given a stunning production by Daniel Cramer with eight impeccable performances. The last part of Millenium Approaches and the second part of Perestroika are particularly good. I saw them separately all those years ago and felt seeing them together on the same day this time was a better experience altogether. This was a milestone in theatre and anyone who seriously loves theatre should see it. But what happened to Tony Kushner in the 20 years between this and Caroline or Change?...........just the mediocre Slavs and Homebody / Kabul it seems; AiA must must have exhausted him. - Gareth James | 27 Jun 07 |
| The best American play of the past 50 years, impeccably performed. A triumph. Contrary to the review below, this play is not simply about AIDS or about gay men--it's a play about the soul of America. - Charles | 25 Jun 07 |
| Sorry to be a wet blanket at this five start fest but doesn't it all go on a bit too much! OK! I am not trying to diminish the tragedy of AIDS or the impact it has had on the lives of friends and relatives of the victims. There are, though, other equally tragic deseases which victims are making there way through, every bloody day, without being made the subject of this obsessive orgy of self indulgence. It may well have had a resonance in 1991 in San Francisco with an audience made up almost entirely of men, sniffling into their red or yellow handkerchiefs. However, fifteen years on it's showing its age, and doesn't sit comfortable with the natural reserve of a British audience. And why does the writer assume the gay community embraces the spurious theory that practically all men are gay? I found three and three quarter hours, of almost unrelenting hysteria, about two hours too long. And for it to have a Part II at a further three and a half hours - God Help Us all! However, even this nonsence could not disguise the talent on stage. Greg Hicks brilliant as ever as the meglomanic, slease ball lawyer. Mark Emerson, like a chubby Andy Warhol ,gives a rivetting performance as the central character, Prior. And Ann Mitchell who convincingly plays a rabbi, a mother, and a deceased spy! head up a talented cast who really should be expending their not inconsiderable talents on something better. - rds | 25 Jun 07 |
| WOW!!!!! This really is a "must see" production. The direction was innovative and fluid, the set, sound and lighting designs beautiful in their simplicity, but with smashing ideas. The acting absolutley faultess. If I had one gripe it would be that up in The Gods, we missed the Angel at the end, and the lighting shadowed our view of the actor's faces. I wasn't a fan of Daniel Kramer's "Bent" I felt some of his ideas clumsy and ill conceived, however this is a masterclass in direction. As for Dolly Rawlings - you go girl, what an actress - why don't we see more of you? - Alassin Sane | 24 Jun 07 |
| Absolutely mind-blowing! Best play, best revival,best acting, best direction, best design, need I go on? See both parts, together if possible. Five stars don't seem enough. - JoeSmith | 14 Jun 07 |
| Awe inspiring, Stunning, gob-smacking, massive emotional experience, theatrical event of the year so far. Don't miss it, see both parts. - JoeSmith | 06 May 07 |
