Reader Reviews
Kursk (The Young Vic, Inner London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Kursk was not on my radar (or sonar) until I read a 5-star review in the Telegraph but I'm delighted I made the effort to get to the Young Vic. The black box Maria studio has been transformed into an astonishingly realistic Royal Navy submarine which you sit or stand inside as the play unfolds around you. Bryony Lavery's script brilliantly captures the chlaustrophobic atmosphere and male banter as well as the monotony and occasional moments of fear and near-panic as events unfold. Given that the tirle refers to a Russian submarine which sank in Arctic water what I felt was missiing was more of a sense of the horror of what it must have been like on the Kursk, other than a few moments of blackness and muffled Russian. An extraordinary achievement but Kursk didn't quite live up to it's title. - David Baxter | 24 Jun 09 |
| An absolutely outstanding production. Not only is the set completely effective and - in all senses - immersive, but the tension and understatement of the dilemmas is beautifully handled. Possibly the best production I have seen in London in the past year. - Charles Brewer | 20 Jun 09 |
| The studio theatre has been turned into a British submarine and you stand or sit within it as the story of how it tracks the ill-fated Russian submarine Kursk plays out. It's an extraordinary technical achievement - the design, lighting and sound are stunning - but the five excellent actors also tell a very human story which is deeply moving without being sentimental. This is another magnificent achievement for the Young Vic. - Gareth James | 14 Jun 09 |
