Reader Reviews
Cause Celebre (Old Vic Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | The rehabilitation / celebration of Terrence Rattigan continues with Thea Sharrock's excellent revival of Cause Celebre. Although it was written in 1977 it's a delightfully old fashioned example of the well-made play and further proof that you can't go far wrong for tension and excitement than a courtroom drama. Anne Marie Duff might not appear to be obvious casting as the glamorous socialite Alma Rattenbury, but she is particularly good at conveying the vulnerability of the character and Nicholas Jones is on terrific form in familiar territory as the defence barrister. As usual Michael Coveney seems to be taking a deliberately contrary view but I must agree with him that Hildegard Bechtler's set design is uncharacteristically disappointing and at times the vast stage of the Old Vic seemed too big for the production, but this does not detract from the quality of Rattigan's story-telling. - David Baxter | 19 May 11 |
| I have just seen the play and felt it was very much in two parts. The first act seemed slow and disjointed and the total lack of any chemistry between the Anne-Marie Duff and Tommy McDonnell didn't help. The second act, which revolved very much around the court scenes, was much better and held my attention much more. However, I cannot understand why Oliver Cooperson was cast as Alma's young, sensitive son as he is a big strapping young man, obviously older that the part he played. When he and Alma embraced as mother and son I had to stifle a giggle as it looked so incongruous. I felt afterwards that it really was a play for radio and did not translate that well to theatre despite everyone's best efforts. - Glynis Greenland | 08 May 11 |
| I enjoyed every minute! - M. Loeffler | 06 Apr 11 |
| The production does its best to paper over the cracks, but this is a really flawed play. The idea of contrasting two women's lives - let's call them 'virgin' and 'whore' for shorthand - is as dated as the courtroom drama format it explores. Worst, since a juror and defendant cannot meet, there is no confrontation between the two women that the whole play cries out for. The design and direction don't disguise the episodic nature of the first half, nor the static nature of the second. I'd give it two stars, but the two lead performances are very good (not miscast) and made up for some of the short-comings. Not a patch on After the Dance! - dgr1 | 31 Mar 11 |
| 2 stars, you must be joking! While Act 1 is a little static, and programatic in the way it plays up the virtues of the promiscuous Alma against the cold fish Edith (who refuses her husband any sex at all, then takes umbrage when he seeks it elsewhere), Act 2 is complex and dramatic. Nicolas Jones and Niamh Cusack were incredibly good, though I feel Nicolas Jones could play this part in his sleep as he was born a wily lawyer like John Wayne was born a cowboy, whereas Niamh Cusack stretches excellently in convincing us that she just can't stand sex. But it is Anne-Marie Duff's flighty heady yet somehow genteel performance as Alma which is the barnstormingly brilliant heart of the play, and for me, very moving. - Steve | 30 Mar 11 |
| I thought the pace really needed to pick up on this; some of it is incredibly creaky but it is redeemed by the court room aspect which is well-written and played. Not a patch on last year's 'After the Dance' - addicted to theatre | 30 Mar 11 |
| I have to disagree again with Coveney. I saw the play 2 nights ago and thought it was excellent and kept me interested all the time. It has been a brilliant few months of Rattigan plays and though this is not perhaps as good as "After The Dance", it is is still excellent as was "Flare Path". The staging caught the 30s look and feel very well and an excellent cast brought great credibility to the whole story. I did not think the leads were miscast though Niamh Cusack did have I suppose the least interesting character but she played it well. As for Anne Marie Duff--I thought as always she was excellent and in the role of Alma gives another top performance. Well done a great night's theatre. - Joe Spiteri | 30 Mar 11 |
| Coveney off his trolly again? Less conventional, traditional & emotional but more complex, intriguing &, fascinating than Flare Path - and the production and performances are superb. - rattigan mania | 30 Mar 11 |
| Terence Rattigan and Thea Sharrock seem to be a compellimg combination. After last years After the Dance, one of my theatre highlights of 2010, comes Cause Celebre. Simply and efficiently staged with lighting used superbly, this is a well staged production. Anne Marie Duff and Niamh Cusack are both compelling in the lead roles. I was drawn into this play from the start and gripped until the end. Highly recommended. - Paul Wallis | 27 Mar 11 |
| Irritating and dull. The odd line sparkles but every character seems so insular and glib. Very disappointing. - addicted to theatre | 20 Apr 10 |
