Reader Reviews
The Arsonists (Royal Court - Jerwood Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Whilst obviously absurd, The Arsonists feels very relevant with it's rather un-PC message about the dangers of accommodation and appeasement of the threat from within our own society. Even at 95 minutes though the play is too long and repetitive as it labours to hammer home its' single point. I would also have happily turned their hose on the deeply irritating Greek chorus of firefighters. What makes this a 4-star show are the central performances, particularly the wonderful Will Keen, complete with an alarming wig, as Biedermann or Everyman or even Liberty, although it comes as a surprise to find that his camp voice from Kiss of the Spider Woman is actually his own. Finally a plea to Artistic Director Dominic Cooke: if you really want to broaden the appeal of the Royal Court try offering midweek matinees more often - there are none scheduled for the next season, which seriously reduces the opportunities for non-Londoners. - David Baxter | 13 Dec 07 |
| SUPERB. Something that requires a little thought and more than a flea's brain concentration span. The production, acting and adaptation were fantastic. More please! (Perhaps the morons who can't sit still for an hour should stick to the West-End) - Joesmith | 10 Dec 07 |
| That should have been one star! - Gareth James | 28 Nov 07 |
| I resent every one of the 100 minutes of my life I wasted on this tosh. - Gareth James | 28 Nov 07 |
| I have to agree with everything Fred has said. It is a piece typical of its period and origins. Have we moved on since then? I bloody well hope so. It's the sort of theatre that puts people off theatre. The RC should not have bothered reviving it in the first place and instead of wasting time doing so have tried out another new writer instead - which is their forte. An extra star given for the set - LOL! - rds | 22 Nov 07 |
| This is a dredful play in which the audience is battered over the head with just oneidea. There is no drama, no conflict and no enjoyment. I found nothing in the new translation or in the production which made this tedious piece interesting with the exception of the always fascinating Benedict Cumberbatch. - Fred | 11 Nov 07 |
