Reader Reviews
Don Carlos (Gielgud Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Derek Jacobi gives a five-star performance in this fascinating (if somewhat cruel and depressing) play. Flaws in a few supporting roles keep the production from rising completely to his level. One word of caution: If you are sensitive to incense, take your seat at the last possible moment. Due to a theatrical conceit before the play begins, the auditorium is choked with smoke. - 12.107.15.2) | 18 Apr 05 |
| I saw this play last Saturday when another Prince 'Carlos' was taking centre-stage elsewhere - and having a much happier time of it ! I loved this play ! The entire cast and crew deserve praise, but special mention must of course go to the brilliant Derek Jacobi whose performance was awe-inspiring, and to the lady in charge of the lighting who managed to create such a brooding, oppressive atmosphere so effectively. I wish I could afford to go back and see it again ! - 62.25.106.209) | 15 Apr 05 |
| A sensational production of a very great play. I cannot remember the last time I was so caught up in any production. Wonderful acting, great direction and a claustrophobic set all come together perfectly and the final scene with The Grand Inquisitor is as spine chilling as I have ever seen in the theatre.PERFECT - 81.79.236.31) | 10 Apr 05 |
| I flew over from the States on holiday and included this play in my plans. An absolutely wonderful experience all round. Congratulations to Michael Grandage and the cast on a job better than well done. - 212.135.91.249) | 02 Apr 05 |
| Lots of 5 star ratings for this and worth every one of them. The 3 hour length flew by as the plot unfolded. One thing I was surprised by was the amount of humour in what is a very dark tale. The performances were good with Claire Price bringing emotional depth, Elliott Cowan convincing as an idealist, Richard Coyle as the immature Don Carlos and above all Derek Jacobi who brought the icy king to life and conveyed his changes in mood from icy to hectoring, overbearing to distraught. Awesome performance - if it doesn't win every award going - there is no justice. - 80.225.133.41) | 24 Mar 05 |
| I went to see this on the WOS outing a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was bloody brilliant. What fantastic performances all round - it is definately worthy of all those 5 star reviews - its just a shame it finishes so soon. Nice to meet the actors after too who were lovely. Thanks WOS - 82.69.37.108) | 23 Mar 05 |
| Excellent as others have said below. DJ as the King is wonderful and really excels in this role. However, the Don Carlos character is not quite to that standard. - 217.34.115.49) | 22 Mar 05 |
| Enthralling. The anachronism of Posa's freedom fighter didn't occur to me when watching this stunning play. It was only when looking up the history that I realised that Don Carlos had been rescued from nonentity and that Posa was a figment of Schiller's brain. No matter, this play spoke to us through time. As everybody has said the casting and performances were faultless. Indeed it is hard to imagine better theatre. - 193.118.206.221) | 28 Feb 05 |
| This is truely an amazing production. It grabs you right from the start and keeps you hooked all the way through. The performances (especially that of Derek Jacobi and Richard Coyle) are excellent. Its a real thriller of a performance, and I would highly recommend it! - 194.80.240.66) | 24 Feb 05 |
| Utterly wonderful. Amongst the best things I have seen in the last five years. The production is exempleary is almost every respect, but Derek Jacobi's performance the stuff of legend. - 62.252.192.13) | 17 Feb 05 |
| I actually don't think Don Carlos is a particularly good play. However, you cannot fault this production. Derek Jacobi gives yet another wonderful performance. Richard Coyle continues to demonstrate his credentials as one of the next generation of great British actors. In fact, all of the performances are spot on, the staging is impeccable and the design perfectly serves the play. After the transfers of The Tempest, Suddenly Last Summer and now Don Carlos, the RSC had better watch out - Sheffield Theatres are producing consistently better work with a much lower subsidy. - 81.134.70.31) | 07 Feb 05 |
| Absolutely FANTASTIC production; deep, meaningful, and smokily menacing and alluring. Grandage squeezes every ounce of meaning in a beautiful pure and clear production, and Jacobi's performance is chilling to the very bone. I wasn't as impressed by Richard Coyle as Carlos; but the work of Claire Price, Ian Hogg, and Elliot Cowan more than make up for it. First-rate. Absolutely excellent. - 62.254.64.17) | 05 Feb 05 |
| I can only echo the other reviews here so far: 5* on every count. A brilliant production. - 193.114.91.245) | 03 Feb 05 |
| Oh my goodness, what glorious, gorgeous, gothic riches! I was enthralled from the moment I stepped into the auditorium and saw the censor swinging to and fro across the stage - to the moment it came to a dramatic climax (by which time every hair on my neck was on end). I was riveted, revolted and delighted by turns, and was surprised at the amount of humour in such a dark and macabre tale. Absolutely theatre at it's very best - I've already booked tickets to see it again! - 80.2.192.56) | 03 Feb 05 |
| What a tour de force, Jacobi is brillant and the whole atmosphere of brooding religious repression is fantastcally conveyed. The appearance of the Grand Inquisitor made the hairs on my neck curl!. Best play I've seen in years and the only one I've seen touts selling tickets for - and this is only the preview - see it , even if you have to raid your savings - 62.255.64.10) | 30 Jan 05 |
| I usually fall asleep during a long play but this one held my rapt attention throughout. It is a brilliant piece of theatre. The cast is excellent and Jacobi outstanding.Those who know the opera will see where Verdi got his plot. The play is light on historical truth - both political and religious - but Schiller, as an Enlightenment man, wanted to show the struggle between reason and humanity and religion and dictatorship. He succeeds in being unfair to both, but on the way some very interesting ideas emerge. If you can buy, beg or steal a ticket, go! - 82.43.154.66) | 29 Jan 05 |
| A hugely impressive production of a very difficult play. The audience's attention is grabbed from the outset and the pace never flags for a moment. The design by Christopher Oram is another triumph for him. Also, Paule Constable's lighting design is one of the best I have ever seen. In a stunning case, Richad Coyle and Derek Jacobi are outstanding. Grandage has another winner. - 80.177.231.164) | 05 Nov 04 |
| you don't just watch this play - you're in there! Can't remember when I was last so involved at the theatre - absolutely stunning - probably the best play I've ever seen!When Jacobi comes on stage you actually shiver! - 82.38.172.135) | 18 Oct 04 |
