Reader Reviews
Grand Hotel (Donmar Warehouse, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | knew nothing about this musical but went because seeing a musical at the Donmar is always a wonderful experience, and this in no way disappoints. The quite outstandingly committed cast kept the momentum going breathlessly in what is a pretty lean show. There was barely any time to clap at all so seamlessly did it run together. Sat in the front row I was sure I was going to get my head kicked in by the wonderfully energetic dancing, and when the cast unleash their voices the noise is spectacular. Just an indecent amount of entertainment on a Monday night for £20. Another Donmar musical to rank up with Merrily We Roll Along. Coincidence that the fab Daniel Evans was in both? - 212.113.17.219) | 11 Jan 05 |
| Brilliant direction, design, choreography and performances. But the music and lyrics are formulaic and weak. So a beautifully polished turd! - 217.43.117.80) | 07 Jan 05 |
| I was underwhelmed by this; nice choreography but not a tune to be heard, the singing was almost like recitative. It's interesting to compare this with 'Brighton Rock' which was critically savaged but IMHO was a better show. Maybe its because this is an American import, Tony winner etc. while 'Brighton Rock' is homegrown, dealing with homegrown material. - 194.203.215.254) | 07 Jan 05 |
| This is a stunning production. Sat in the front row of a full matinee and was overowed by the performances. This deserves to go to the west end to ensure more people get to see it in a bigger venue. The Donmar must be congratulated on their consistantly high quality productions where they push the bounds of musical theatre. - 82.44.98.162) | 17 Dec 04 |
| I LOVED THIS SHOW WHEN I SAW IT AT THE DOMINION IN 1993 AND WONDERED HOW IT WOULD FARE AT THE DONMAR WITH THE INIMITABLE LILLIANE MONTEVECCHI IN CAST. I SHOULDN'T HAVE WORRIED THIS LOVELY AND INVOLVING PRODUCTION WORKS BEAUTIFULLY - GREAT PERFORMANCES FROM OVENDEN & MASTRANTONIO. THE STANDOUT IS HELEN BAKER AS THE TYPIST WITH AMBITIONS - SHE IS TRULY BRUISED AND BATTERED BY LIFE BUT HER WILL TO SURVIVE SHINES THROUGH IN THIS SUPERB PERFORMANCE(SOMEONE SHOULD CAST HER AS SALLY BOWLES.)GO TONIGHT - YOU'LL SEE WHAT I MEAN. - 80.3.160.9) | 10 Dec 04 |
| Agree with the good reviews so far. Terrific staging, dancing, set etc. It is a great evening. Congratulations to the Donmar for not having an interval. Other theatres, please take note. - 195.93.34.11) | 08 Dec 04 |
| Excellent! I enjoyed every minute. Superb performaces all round. Saw it Wednesday matinee 1st December and there was a standing ovation at the end. Need I say more. - 82.35.12.49) | 04 Dec 04 |
| I thought this show was just uninvolving. A series of dull, underwritten, cliched characters singing a series of instantly forgetable songs (I saw it less than a week ago and can't remember one tune). Also I thought a big flaw of the show was it's lack of a set. Setting a show in the most expensive hotel in Europe but not showing us any of it just seems wrong. Saying all that I thought Helen Baker gave a particularly good performance. But I still can't understand why anyone wanted to put this show on. (Incidentally my friend who I went with loved it!) - 195.92.67.74) | 02 Dec 04 |
| Very enjoyable. The best staging Adam Cooper has ever done! The one hour and 45 mins flys by.... The detail in the work is lovely EVERY single actor making their mark. Juilan O is just out of this world! Nothing will stop him, Gillian B and Helen B and Danial E are all excellent. A very well thought through, sung through production of what is NOT a great Broadway show. - 217.13.129.151) | 01 Dec 04 |
| The Donmar warehouse has done it again with an excellent piece of minimalistic staging and a great cast to boot. The show is beautifully presented without an interval, this definitely helps the story to flow. The casting was really well thought out and Mary E Mastrantonio was elegantly superb as the retiring ballerina. A beautiful tenor voice from the Baron (Julian Ovenden)put over the "Love..." showstopper with ease and great accomplishment.Gillian Bevan plays the part of the ballerinas companion with pathos and pride (but i always feel that this part was underwritten and deserved a few meatier dramatic lines)and her voice carries off her main song in a delicate and pretty way. Big shouts also go to Helen Baker who made a divine Flaemmchen and all members of the chorus who made it a very memorable musical event. Overall the Donmar should be proud to be presenting this much maligned piece of musical history. It will sell out on every performance... - 62.252.64.30) | 26 Nov 04 |
