Reader Reviews
As You Desire Me (Playhouse Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | saw as you desire me a couple of times... The script is great... and the part of Elma is really rich.. KST is a terrific actress, however, sometimes instead of simply letting it go & flow she thinks that she has to SHOW something, e.g. feelings, emotions, etc... which is a pity, cos that takes away joy from both: the artist and the audience... she should trust herself more and put all the insecurities aside... she's definitely got loads of potential and power, I wish she just simply let go and watched where it takes her.........I thought Bob Hoskins was absolutely amazing.. you'd never think that "there he is, this famous guy, etc"... when you watch him you totally forget that he too is a celebrity and you only see this dodgy man and have negative affinities with him... and only afterwards a thought comes to your head "hey.. wait a minute.. that was Bob Hoskins... wow!"... however, the rest of the cast was absolutely awful... I've not seen worst acting in ages.. high pitched voices, Spanish-soap-opera emotions and me!me!me!... that made me wonder how it did happen that these two amazing actors, KST and BH, agreed to work with those- worse than amateurs.. it's like seeing what TO DO and what NOT TO DO on stage... and what was the director thinking, if he was thinking at all?! - 82.43.2.2) | 17 Jan 06 |
| Sitting in the front row of the Playhouse Theatre to see Pirandello's 'As You Desire Me', I was transfixed by Kristin Scott Thomas' truly mesmerising performance. She is on stage for most of the 90 minutes and gives a tour de force that took me through a range of emotions that left me in awe of her sensuality and her brilliant acting ability. You only have a few two weeks to see this award winning performance. Don't miss it. Bob Hoskins wasn't bad either! - 80.177.101.224) | 06 Jan 06 |
| A truly wonderful performance of a complex, not always sympathetic, character by Scott-Thomas. The fact everyone seemed transfixed by her, on and off stage, says it all! There was good ensemble playing, including from Hoskins and notably Tyzack. But it is her show and like another writer below if she doesn't scoop all the awards it will be a scandal. - 217.169.42.62) | 13 Dec 05 |
| It looks great and the staging and acting are first class, but unlike other Pirandello plays, this one really didn't provide enough fascination to hold the attention. A disappointment. - 86.134.81.1) | 06 Dec 05 |
| Kristen Scott Thomas gave a stellar performance and was supported well by all, especially Bob Hoskins. This certainly isn't a straight forward play - it keeps you questioning who she is which is no bad thing. Loved the projections inbetween the scenes. - 212.158.229.242) | 21 Nov 05 |
| I did wonder if I was going to feel a little 'short changed', with this production lasting only an hour and a quarter. I would agree, however, with previous comments that Kristin Scott Thomas's performance was outstanding and did indeed somewhat overshadow the rest of the cast. Yes, Bob Hoskins was good but should perhaps have been a bit more dominating. I too, seemed to spend most of the time looking at Kristin! Well deserved two solo curtain calls for her. And no I did not feel 'short changed', a twisting storyline which as said elsewhere required some brain work and it is good to see plays of this type being performed. Would have been a rating of 3, however, but a deserved four for Kristin. - 195.93.21.101) | 16 Nov 05 |
| In this day and age, it's very difficult to mount a play that requires the audience to use their intellect, and yet, also to amuse and mesmerize. The supporting cast in this play is good, but has very little to do. Of course, it doesn't help that the lead character is played by Kristin Scott Thomas, who gives an earth-shaking performance. However, it feels almost like she's acting in a vacuum especially towards the end. Still, the play is well-designed and well-directed, and definitely different. Again, it's hard to take one's eyes off Miss Scott Thomas throughout the production. I feel sorry for the rest of the cast, especially for Bob Hoskins, who is a great star in his own right, but who just can't match his leading lady's powerhouse performance. If she doesn't get all the major theatre awards this year, then one can only attribute it to the fact that the critics still aren't convinced that a movie star can act this good. - 216.255.96.10) | 13 Nov 05 |
| A commanding and yet subtle performance was given by the great actress, Kristin Scott Thomas. It's an extremely difficult role to portray and deinitely, a play that leaves you with a great many questions. Jonathan Kent did an outstanding job of directing. He really made it interesting. The Garbo film of the same title was too boring compared to this production. Most of all, this was really a showcase for Miss Scott Thomas' acting talents. If they were giving out Nobel Prizes for acting, she definitely would be most deserving. It's a production that people will be talking about for years to come. - 156.111.245.42) | 11 Nov 05 |
| Kirstin excellent although some voice projection didnt quite reach the front of the circle ( unless this is the Playhouse idiosyncratic acoustic ). (Very warm uncomfortable air conditioning/ temperature ). Margaret Tyzack subltle and endearing. Hoskins - oh no ! Has not got the voice - he croaks - or the menace on stage he performs in film. Two superbly atmospheric sets, disciplined production with excellent ensemble work. A fascinating non-stop evening. Very posh audience (including Lucien Freud ! ) . Provocative and cryptic. Recommended. - 86.136.188.151) | 11 Nov 05 |
| This is a wonderfully theatrical evening with two lavish sets and stunning constumes - especially as worn by Kristen Scott Thomas who, by the way, gave a riveting performance. I thought it was a great evening and a most interesting play. - 205.188.117.68) | 29 Oct 05 |
| I saw an early preview of this and really enjoyed it. the second section is a bit slower but generally the pace is good, performances are all great. LOVED the sets, a good night all round, definitely worth seeing. - 81.131.23.205) | 28 Oct 05 |
| An excellent production!! The acting is effortless - Kristin Scott Thomas is mesmerising, and Hoskins and Tyzack are superb. The large supporting cast has no weak members - unlike the over-praised Mary Stuart last week which offered some abysmal ensemble acting. For a 75-minute limited season production the play can boast two huge sets which are really impressive. The whole evening was a joy to attend. Incidentally, Playhouse sightlines are very good. - 81.137.223.68) | 28 Oct 05 |
