Reader Reviews
The Frontline (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Whatever it's merits The Frontline is a very odd choice for the Globe, particularly for a sunlit matinee. The overlapping dialogue prevents much coherent narrative, some of which is very repetitive, especially as much of it is lost in this acoustic minefield. There are moments of wit and storylines worth following mainly revolving around Jo Martin and Mo Sesay who are excellent as a lapdancer and her pacifist bouncer. However Che Walker comes dangerously close to glamourising the seedy parade of drugs and violence. Some of the writing is infantile reaching a nadir with the song "The War on Drugs is a War on Blacks" whilst reinforcing rather than challenging stereotypes. Matthew Dunster is an associate director of the Young Vic and with a firmer directorial hand The Frontline could very effective further along the South Bank. - David Baxter | 12 Aug 08 |
| Loud, Brash & full of stereotypes BUT it works! This was a real treat! The setting, the rain and the twilight all add to the atmosphere of the darker corners of London. The cast really threw themselves into the performance and gave a memorable performance. Recommended. (Performance 10 August 2008, evening) - Paul | 11 Aug 08 |
| This is probably the best non-Shakespeare play the Globe has ever put on. It's a fairly plotless slice of life with overlapping tales and dialogue. It takes a while to atune your ears and concentrate (not aided by the notoriously noisy Globe crowd) but it gradually draws you in. Prostitutes, drug dealers, hot dog salesmen, evangelicals, transvestites, struggling fringe theatricals, Asian restauranteurs, rough sleepers, the deranged......somehow you learn a lot about their lives. There's good music and there are excellent performances, but the great thing about this play is it's energy. It fits the Globe like no other modern play yet has, and even the rain seemed to enhance the experience! - Gareth James | 04 Aug 08 |
| This is a show not to be missed - best play/musical I've seen for a long time! Extremely vibrant, touching and really hits you in the heart. If you want to be moved and experience the rawness of real people that makes you laugh and cry at the same time suggest you get down to the Globe. Well done Globe - a real treat! - Yee Liu Williams | 22 Jul 08 |
| I was disappointed. the acting was splendid but the acoustics were terrible, (theres's nothing more irritating to an audience than strain either your eyesight or hearing) - not helped by overlapping dialogue -what is one expected to listen to? The characters were one 'street cliche' after another. Nor was it lluminating, one is more 'entertained' by the real thing available for free on a daily basis outside any tube station. - mavis welsh | 15 Jul 08 |
