Reader Reviews
The Mercy Seat (Almeida Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Dreadful. The acting, script and direction were all dire - the only thing to be said for it was the set! What on earth were the Almeida doing putting this on in the first place? Staggeringly over acted to the point of becoming a macabre pantomime. Surely black actors deserve to be given better material, which does not patronise or pigeon hole them, than this. And one other thing what was it with the clunky accents? It was an African 'ello 'ello. The incredibly slow response to applaud at the close of the first act tonight was a clear sign of what the audience thought of it. - rds | 21 May 10 |
| I really enjoyed The Shape Of Things and liked the idea of the Mercy Seat but disappointingly it didn't live up to my expectations. It's saving grace was its reasonably short length - I couldn't have taken any more of two people wearing each other down in an attritional war of words. The dialogue mainly consisted of trite exchanges such as 'What's going on here? What do you mean what's going on here? You know. No I don't. Oh yes you do. No, I really don't.' I almost expected the audience to join in it was such a grotesque parody of a pantomime. Full marks to the actors though, they gave their all. Cusack in particular looked absolutely shattered at the end, not surprisingly really as I eas exhausted just watching it. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.128.202.113) | 13 Nov 03 |
| Even though the characters were not "likable", the actors were brilliant, keeping the rhythm and tempo of the play very tight - almost a choreography. Since they didn't have anything to do except argue, this could have been a disaster, but was totally engrossing because of John Hannah's and Sinead Cusack's abilities. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (216.192.135.131) | 11 Nov 03 |
| I thought this was a really well structured play. The use of 9/11 was a valid artistic device and helped to illuminate the personalities of the protagonists. There was a good balance between down to earth realism and tragedy with even an welcome touch of comedy every now and then. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (155.198.17.121) | 05 Nov 03 |
| This is a well-crafted and enjoyable play, which should not be criticized on the basis of external moral judgements. It is a play about people and relationships, which takes a much more realistic view than the rosy view apparently held in other comments here. Well worth seeing. Keith Bain - USER: Whatsonstage.com (80.189.116.103) | 04 Nov 03 |
| It hasn't been a good start for new writing at the re-opened Almeida. First a mediocre new play from Anthony Sher, now a somewhat distasteful one from Neil LaBute. The idea of using a tragedy such as September 11th as the starting point for a play that examines just how low people will sink is itself sinking rather low. Though beautifully designed and well acted, it is a slight piece that leaves a nasty taste in your mouth. Don't bother. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.211.110.42) | 04 Nov 03 |
