Reader Reviews
Twelfth Night (Duke of York's Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Oh dear what a dissapointment. This is supposed to be a funny play yet I laughed not once. Why Richard Wilson has been courted for so long to play Malvolio I simply don't know. He brought nothing to the character. Nancy Carroll and Alexadra Gilbreath did their best but this was a generally porr production, which following on from the Donmar dissapoinment of last year has left me wondering if its the play that's the problem. Yet I saw a fine production many years ago at the RSC with Des Barritt as Malvolio so it can work. Afraid not this time though. - Paul Wallis | 20 Feb 10 |
| Compare and contrast - the Donmar / RSC: Hamlet / Twelfth Night. Michael Grandage's production of one of Shakespeare's best comedies was certainly much funnier - here Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek are seriously disappointing. Richard Wilson's Malvolio is almost relegated to a minor character - his final cry of revenge even comes from offstage - but there is a vintage Meldrew moment as he pops his head through a trapdoor to remonstrate with noisy revellers. Greg Doran's focus is on Olivia and Viola and fortunately Alexandra Gilbreath and Nancy Carroll are both exceptionally good. There is also a nice Orsino from Jo Stone-Fewings (Mr. Carroll). The well behaved school party around us loved the play, particularly Feste, which is part of the RSC's remit, but they decerve no credit for limiting their London season to just this one production plus a couple of new works at Mampstead - the taxpayer deserves more for their subsidy. - David Baxter | 27 Jan 10 |
| The Eastern promises that are hinted at are never quite shown to us in a production that mixes reality with pantomimic performances that somehow break uneasily out of what could have been a new and intriguing interpretation. Alexandra Gilbreath's Olivia, and Nancy Carroll’s performance of Viola are breathtaking in their clarity and depth, showing us the true heart of these estranged women forced to wear masks in order to maintain their position whilst suppressing their secret longings. Richard McCabe and James Fleet give a truth to Belch and Aguecheek that is rarely seen when these characters are played for laughs and adds a level of poignancy that is both touching and disturbing. Whilst Derek Jacobi's Malvolio was a revelation, Richard Wilsons' is as expected - his delivery and tonality are so well known that predictability is a foregone conclusion and his mannered delivery adds nothing new to our understanding of Malvolio the man. The inspired simplicity of the staging is matched by some superb lighting techniques that drench the stage in warmth and woe as appropriate. - Dave J | 21 Jan 10 |
| The audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy this production and I among them. The acting was good all round and the production inventive, musical and absorbing. - Marian Hone | 07 Jan 10 |
| A bit of a disappointment - the design has so many unresolved ideas, it looks like an end-of-term production with a bit of every other show in it. The comedy is laboured and over-indulged, with little feedback from the audience. however, worth seeing for Nancy Carroll, the best Viola I have seen, and a wonderful Alexandra Gilbreath. - dgr1 | 06 Jan 10 |
