Reader Reviews
Man and Boy (Duchess Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Greatly overpraised; the best part of the play (the gay bit) was abandoned in Act 2, as were the most interesting characters, and we were left with a yawning anticlimax which even David Suchet with an un-smoking gun in his hand could not disguise. I found the wet son far more objectionable than the 'wicked' capitalist - an 'immoral' resolution would have been more satisfying but it seems Rattigan didn't have the guts for that. I wonder if the 'walking out the door' ending was written that way or just directed like that? What were we supposed to think happened next, apart from a hessitant curtain-call? This lost play should have stayed lost. - 82.43.173.80) | 14 Apr 05 |
| For a man so much associated with Poirot to play a character of the same era without a single hint of Poirot, and more than touch of quality was wonderful to see. Suchet dominated the stage and played the character to perfection, the rest of the cast were left some way back with only his "assistant" coming close. A little less overacting and a little more belief would have yielded a five star rating. - 62.252.192.13) | 20 Mar 05 |
| Rattigan thought this play was his masterpiece. He was badly mistaken. Without the gay element, it would be nothing but old hat. The cast give it all they have which, in Suchet's case, is a great deal as he is outstanding. But this play (unlike Browning Version, Deep Blue Sea and the Winslow Boy) was not worth reviving. - 195.93.21.101) | 20 Feb 05 |
| A powerful play but rather lacklustre on the night I saw it.David Suchet seemed to be holding himself back and some of the pauses between different actors speaking seemed too long at times.Given the material I felt I should have been more emotionally affected but I wasn't until the last scene. - 81.155.9.28) | 13 Feb 05 |
| What an underated play - and a proper play like wot they used to write ! - and way ahead of it's time. Great design and uniformly excellent performances, led by a wonderful interpretation of the monster at the heart of the play by David Suchet. This is a very deserved revival and it's great to see it come to the West End. - 81.134.70.31) | 07 Feb 05 |
| Theatre Royal Brighton Thursday 4th November 2004. Excellent production, well directed and superbly acted with an outstanding performance from David Suchet, and strongly supported by an excellent cast giving convincing performances all round. However, the play after a very strong first act, looses it's way after the interval, and I felt that the relationship between Father and Son could have been more explosive given the awful revalations in Act One. However, Act 1 is superb with gasp inducing twists and it is a pleasure to see a relativley unknown play performed and directe with such style. Recommended. JAS - 217.43.203.5) | 05 Nov 04 |
| Gripping,surprisingly relevant piece of 60's theatre. I usually avoid "lost" plays as there's usually a reason for getting lost, but this is certainly an exception. What a cast! Let by a Suchet but closely followed by all the rest. The height of professionalism with every character meticulously drawn. - 80.189.54.43) | 24 Oct 04 |
| Saw this excellent production in Bath - strongly recommended not merely as a 'collectable' of an ignored play. Splendid cast (led by the marvellous David Suchet ), direction and set. Don't miss it. - 217.158.132.220) | 24 Oct 04 |
| Fantastic performances all round in this excellent adaptation. Suchet is amazing and the rest of the cast not far behind. Great set design and an emotional rollercoaster that allows you to identify with Silverstone's Basil/Vasily. A wonderful experience, highly recommended. Catch it while you can. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.54.229.187) | 01 Oct 04 |
