Reader Reviews
The Common Pursuit (Menier Theatre, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | What a travesty! Terribly acted, boringly directed, and the play isn't much to work with anyway, but even so! I wonder if those cancelled previews weren't something more to do with the fact the actors seem to be so very uncomfortable in their parts rather than the set playing up which was the excuse made at the time? That would account for a lot - perhaps someone will spill the beans? There has to be some excuse for this excruciating production? - Fan-atical | 08 Jul 08 |
| PS: that's wrong too! So here goes for a one star! - rds | 07 Jul 08 |
| PS: I was going to apologise for my dodgy typing in the review below, but I have also taken the opportunity to give it an even lower star rating. I have therefore given this a 1 star which should average the two star one out to 1½ instead... now that's more like it! - rds | 07 Jul 08 |
| I absoutely agree with Gareth JJames' review. I could have left at the interval, but soldiered on only because we had ordered interval drinks! A play that has definitely past its sell by date with acting of the calibre of Frinton rep', only I suspect that do a considerable disservice to Frinton rep'. Not worth spending your hard earned money on. What's gone wrong at the Menier? Two stars and that's being generous. - rds | 07 Jul 08 |
| By the interval I was completely indifferent to this play; nothing of any consequence semmed to be happening and I had no empathy with any of the characters. It picked up significantly in the second half but in the end I don't think it's worth such a major revival as this - Simon Grey was a man of his time and his plays aren't classics. I am used to James Dreyfuss over-acting, but here he leaves that to Nigel Harman and Reece Sheersmith who ham it up mercilessly. Add to this far too much stage smoking (well, it was written by a fundamentalist smoker) on a hot summer night and I have to say I could have made better use of my evening. - Gareth James | 03 Jul 08 |
| I thought it was an excellent production, especially the second act as you see the characters lives unravel & the promises of their youth fade. For me James Dreyfus & Reece Shearsmith were the standouts. Both give excellent performances in very different roles. Dreyfus is authoritative & touching as Humphrey whilst Reece Shearsmith is a comic tour de force & charismatic as Nick & ages convincingly & subtlely. Each to their own as far as opinions go. - Scarlet | 20 Jun 08 |
| I totally disgree, Robert Portal's (Stuart)produces a performance that glues the play together. Whilst the likes of James Dreyfus, Nigel Harman & Reece Shearsmith are allowed to overact both physically and verbally. Robert's portrayal of someone who can’t or won’t let go of their idealism is fascinating. Although when all is said and done, the play may have dated, but the laughs are still there. See it for yourselves and make your our opinion is all i can say. But i would go again. Great acting around guys. - andrew morris | 18 Jun 08 |
| It's amdram night at the Woking Playhouse circa 1975! Horrible, dated play about people we don't care about, terribly badly directed and played. The actor who played 'Stuart' gave one of the worst performances I have seen in a very long time. If the Menier keeps this up, it may have to start making chocolates again. - addicted to theatre | 31 May 08 |
| The play has not stood the test of time. It is hopelessly thin. Good actors seemed adrift. A sad evening. - Fred | 28 May 08 |
