Reader Reviews
Buried Child (Lyttelton (National Theatre), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | As the lights went up, the heavy metal music and the driving rain set the tone for a very impressive, superbly acted production. Actually, 'compelling' was the word that got stuck in my head - and you could tell that the audience was focused - no talking, no shifting in seats, hardly any sweet-eating. I take the point made by one of the previous reviewers that it could have been pruned to make a one act play. However, it's a small point. The cast were excellent (particular M. Emmet Walsh as Dodge) and I would urge anyone who hasn't seen it to get a ticket before it ends. - 195.92.198.72) | 12 Dec 04 |
| What an opening. So simple, so effective. Dodge on stage, Halie off and twenty minutes of dialogue between them. It sounds so dull, but I couldn't take my eyes off it. A excellent ensemble cast really took this play to staggering emotional levels. I have my own theories about some of this, but surely that is the point of good, challenging theatre. - 194.200.154.253) | 22 Nov 04 |
| Stunning production. The NT continues to amaze. - 66.32.107.163) | 07 Nov 04 |
| It was spot the influence - even a bit of Steinbeck in the stroking of the fur coat! I spotted Miller, Pinter, O'Neil, Tennessee Williams... not absorbed but just plonked in. A real mish mash of a play. Derivative, predictable, over wrought, badly lit and not deserving of the talented cast. - 217.43.159.49) | 01 Nov 04 |
| What a deception! The play opens well, with an interesting stage moving towards the audience, suggesting it will also be about us. And then, Halie - Elizabeth Franz, 15 minutes figureless speech from backstage inaugurates the spiraling down toward a disaster. The story, badly sewn together; the acting, in particular Brendan Coyle and Sam Throughton, one taking improbable and odd postures, the other swinging between gangsta rap and Italian Mafioso; Franz again, whose voice does not match the image or the role, who leaves one evening in a black dress and comes back the next day in a yellow one. And what story? Is it Williams or Pinter? Is it a rerun of his earlier play A lie of the Mind? The production, badly directed, fails to create any atmosphere of oppression or tension, or madness. It is just plain boring, shifting from one improbability to another, from corn to carrots, one then expecting broccoli. The audience laughed at the wrong time, and so on. If it wasn’t for Emmet Walsh and Lauren Ambrose, I would have left the theatre. - 82.35.109.29) | 31 Oct 04 |
| I really enjoyed this ever so much. Its kept me thinking and thinking. A fab play and great performances. - 82.69.37.108) | 26 Oct 04 |
| Enormously impressive production, design and performances (how marvellous yet again to see superb American actors at the National) but the play could do with cutting. A little pruning and no interval would have improved it hugely. - 195.93.34.12) | 17 Oct 04 |
| He writes difficult plays, so for every great Shepherd production you get a handful of duds. This is one of those great ones - faultlessly staged with magnificent performances. Another thrilling evening at the greatest theatre in the world. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.134.191.2) | 09 Oct 04 |
| Still don't really know what happened, even after the Q&A session, but don't think I'm the only one! Fantastic ensemble performance, though M. Emmet Walsh a definite candidate for best actor. A great night at the theatre, a signed programme, a free drink, and a Q&A session with virtually the whole cast, an absolute bargain for only £15!!! Well done Whatsonstage ;-)) - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.128.202.113) | 07 Oct 04 |
| Well, if there’s an Olivier or Whatsonstage Award for the Best Theatre of the Year, as in that which has consistently housed the best stuff, the Lyttelton surely has it all wrapped up for 2004. As if the verve of the History Boys’ boys (and girl) or the interpretative genius of Iphigenia and its sublime chorus weren’t enough, now we have Buried Child, which I didn’t dream would be so good. I didn’t know this play, and can’t believe it’s not more widely renowned. It is, if you want, two parts Miller and one part Pinter, but rather it’s a thing in itself. As I’ve warned before on this messageboard, avoid the reviews because they will inevitably tell you too much about a plot that should unfold only before your eyes. Stick with the National’s blurb. A boy brings his girlfriend back to his old family home in Illinois. And then see what happens. It shocked, surprised, beguiled and moved me. And it’s somehow realist and absurd – and believably so – all at the same time. You’ll see why. The production is great; great music and a set which perfectly complements what the play has to say about home. And the acting is triffic. Lauren Ambrose is especially welcome, she’s luminous but in a totally different way to the Claire we know and love her for, but M. Emmet Walsh and Elizabeth Franz should lick up the supporting actor awards effortlessly. She especially is a force from nowhere. It’s a bedazzling play. Mystic, suggestive, human; really confidently written. A thematic companion to Festen, in some ways, but this is an illustration in how it should be done. I can’t recommend it enough. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.81.216.130) | 05 Oct 04 |
| What a tour de force from all the actors. What was so wonderful was how funny it was inspite of the dreadful story unfurled before us. And considering it was written in 1978 how fresh it still is. Loved it. So did my 14 year old - one cool dude is Sam Shepard. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.8.91.54) | 01 Oct 04 |
| what a night in the theatre, a very uneasy play but the acting and stage WOW, like a car crash, so black and comic all at once, do not miss this fine production. a must see Sam S play, the opening really does set the tone for the whole 2 hours.... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.13.129.151) | 30 Sep 04 |
| I agree with the previous reviewer - the opening image really sets the magnificent tone of this production. If you see one show this year, I recommend that this be it. My only 'gripe' with the previous review: there are no weak links in this production... certainly not Mr Coyle! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.255.64.8) | 30 Sep 04 |
| this was a play of sam shepard's that i had not read before and was thoroughly intrigued about. The opening sequence was of a cinematic quality with water effects-piercing lights and resonating music. the rest of the play followed suit and was very effective in capturing the dysfunctional relationships of just about every character on stage. Lauren Ambrose (6 feet under fame) was particularly impressive making her transition to stage and M.Emmet Walsh was superior as ever - However, my only gripe would be that i felt Brendan Coyle was miscast as Tilden-although he is a fine actor i feel it was the wrong role for him. The play hasn't officially started it's run yet so the occasional lack of rhythm and fluidity should be ironed out by then. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.83.197.130) | 23 Sep 04 |
