Reader Reviews
Be Near Me (Donmar Warehouse, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Attending the theatre with a splitting headache is not recommended, which may contribute to my mixed feelings about Ian McDiarmid's patchy adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's probably superior novel. Be Near Me is set amongst the sectarian underclass of any Ayrshire town but the IRA/Orange tensions soon become irrelevant in the story of an English priest who develops strong feelings for a 15 year old boy (albeit a very old teenager). Unforunately too little is made of Father David's past love for another younger man in a previous parish which would have put his behaviour into context. McDiarmid is an ascetic actor so it is very odd to watch him grinning and dancing to teh Beach Boys; he also looks considerably older than the actress cast as his mother. There si sgood support from an ensemble who mostly remain on stage throughout, particularly Blythe Duff who has escaped Taggart to play an unusually cultured housekeeper. Despite my struggles Be Near Me held my attention throughout but I don't think it had anything particularly new to say. - David Baxter | 05 Mar 09 |
| It's a long time since I was so captivated by a new play. The soundscape, with songs sung unaccompanied live, perfectly places the play in small town coastal Scotland where an English priest is 'at sea'. John Tiffany's staging is simply stunning and the ensemble, headed by Iain McDairmid, uniformly excellent. Can the National Theatre of Scotland do no wrong? If only England's National Theatre could produce something anywhere near as good! - Gareth James | 03 Mar 09 |
| This is a cause for great celebration. A facsinating and complex novel has been superbly adapted by Ian McDiarmid who also gives surely one of his very best performances in the central role. John Tiffany's direction is also exceptional - his use of Scottish songs is a fascinating commentary on the text. All the cast are exemplary. Let's have more interchange like this between Scottish and English theatre. - fred | 15 Feb 09 |
| Magnificent performances and a first class multi layered storyline confirm this as a must see .McDiarmid is sublime and Duff gives a spellbinding performance as the housekeeper.Must see - Repeat returner | 10 Feb 09 |
| Another terrific production from the National Theatre of Scotland. The uniformly excellent cast led by the stunning Ian McDiarmid (arguably the finest actor on the British stage today) explores the prejudices of both the smaller and wider communities in Scotland, who, even after 300 years of union, are still not at ease with their more numerous cousins over the border. Some of the dialogue was lost on me, delivered as it was with such broad accents, but no matter it didn't deter form the piece and helped to add to its authenticity. A seemingly heavy drama is made endearing by the skill of the writer and the talent of this up and coming company - NT and RSC watch out! - rds | 30 Jan 09 |
| A lesson to all aspiring directors on how to conjure exceptionally magical suspense and control thrilling plot development. Sharp very witty dialogue and acting of the highest order. Truly wonderfully gripping and poetic theatre. - alex green | 29 Jan 09 |
| Watched at Kilmarnock and found the play to be very moving, exceptionally well written and performed, highly relevant in the issues addressed and incorporated all the essentials from the original book! I thought the cast were excellent, all very consistant and strong with great performances all round! The on-stage song is very thoughtful and invigorating from recent straight plays. All in all a beautiful production and a definate must see! - Alison | 27 Jan 09 |
| This play didn't resonate with me; I was actually more interested in the Scottish /Irish loss of culture, to whom to I owe allegiance kind of thing, than the story of the flawed priest which I felt was cliched and static. The play flickered alive momentarily when the songs pointed the loss of culture theme. The mother was a totally unbelievable character, the boy acted by someone far too old and the girl , another cliche. Housekeeper brilliant but sadly her part in the end was underwritten.Is this what the Scots think is good drama, and is this what they think we Londoners want to see? - Lynette | 27 Jan 09 |
| Saw this at the Donmar and it doesn't seem to have transferred with any ill effects. MacDiarmid was superb - the only issue was around his age - he seems too old to be going through this crisis. A more middle-aged actor would have brought some needed sexual tension. Nowehere near as good as NTS' 'Black Watch' but worth seeing. - addicted to theatre | 26 Jan 09 |
| saw it (in its natch home - kilmarnock) and wondered if it would find resonance in london and touring. of course similar misgivings were aired about black watch. my take on it was that tolerance and idealism are precious,dangerous and something that i haven't quite worked out yet...... i didn't see it as an indictment of intolerant attitudes or obsessive navel gazing as such, more of an acceptance that we are...'all jock tamson's bairns',and we will evolve from past given entrenchments. a good production - david mccrae | 26 Jan 09 |
