Reader Reviews
Tom and Viv (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 |
| The first half is slowly paced and clumsily staged, but things look up in the second half when the play gets a lot meatier and the production a lot more fluid. The play doesn't have the impact it had at its first outing at the Royal Court zonks ago and the main reason for seeing this revival is the impeccable acting by an excellent ensemble without a weak link. It's great to see Benjamin Whitrow again, on this occasion giving us three for the price of one ! - 193.35.133.151) | 18 Oct 06 |
| Michael Hastings' play, at the Almeida, is a foray into the tangled private life of the famous poet T.S.Eliot. Hampton in his imagined reconstruction of Eliot's marriage to his first wife, Viviene, strays boldly into the realms of fiction. The play is not wholly successful as a piece of theatre. Spanning 32 years the short scenes create a feeling of distance from the action. In his programme note Hastings describes Eliot as 'a tall rather aloof man with precise and beautiful manners'. Will Keen as Eliot gives an interesting performance but he in no way conforms to this description. The part is underwritten. Frances O'Connor gives a superb, deeply vulnerable Viv, ageing beautifully and there are two memorable performances from Benjamin Whitworth as Viv's father and Janes. - 194.106.62.200) | 15 Sep 06 |
