Reader Reviews
The Lisbon Traviata (The King's Head Theatre, Inner London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Oh for 30 minutes less. A fascinating idea & a well written play, given a miraculous staging at the tiny Kings Head, with great performances by all.....but the first half outstays it's welcome and becomes an exercise in how easy it is to overdose on camp. Fortunately, the second half changes colour, is much less OTT and redeems the evening. Without the 30 mins 4, with the 30 mins 3. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.211.99.22) | 20 Dec 03 |
| Loved this! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.78.64.217) | 18 Dec 03 |
| I am very surprised at the enthusiasm of the other reviews. There are some good things. Marcus D'Amico is exceptionally moving as the desperate discarded lover in the second half and that half is a painful evocation of the end of a relationship. And parts of the first half are funny. But there are very serious flaws. First, the first half is just a cabaret act with lots of one-liners which do not amount to a play. It is an excuse for a flashy performance which leaves the Marcus d'Amico character as merely a cipher. Second, the two halves have no real connection so this is not a play but two unconnected scenes. Third, the ending is ridiculous and undermines the naturalism of the rest of that half. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 07 Dec 03 |
| The direction is superb! Stephen Henry has created a beautiful world, full of atmosphere, for the actors to inhabit. If one member of the cast has an occasional accent problem and isn’t pronouncing everything correctly then that seems to say more about Mr D’Amico than the director. Besides these are minor matters one can become obsessed with when the real drama of the play is the tragic loss of love. The cast are perfect for their roles, the set and lighting adds brilliantly to the fascinating story, and I agree it should receive a wider audience. I think this is the best production I have seen at the Kings Head Theatre in years. Written and set in the late 1980’s it makes you wonder what other dramatic gems have slipped passed the UK audiences. Bloody good job all round! Stephen Henry and his cast should be feeling very proud. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.78.64.103) | 22 Nov 03 |
| Terrence McNally is one of America's most consistently good living playwrights. The Lisbon Traviata, which is finally having its UK premiere at the King's Head Theatre, is a brilliant example of Mr. McNally's legacy. The cast for the most part is brilliant. The weak link is surprisingly Marcus D'Amico, who was so amazing in the first part of Angels in America. One cannot fault Mr. D'Amico on his technique, for in the second act he brings gut-wrenching emotion to his character. It is his inconsistent American accent and his constant mispronounciations of operas, opera singers and terms, so wrong for his operaphile character! It is nothing a dialect coach and a better director could not correct. While we are on the subject, the director has little concept of history, so that choosing to set this play in 1988 to give it an updated feel, makes Marcus D'Amico's character too young. These are, however minor quibbles for the rest of the cast is brilliant!! David Bamber's Mendy is brilliant. It is the type of role he has done many times before, but he does it so well. Tristan Gemmill is a revelation! His American accent is flawless, as is his naturalness in performing the emotional core of his character. Matthew Trift, a recent theatre graduate, in his theatrical debut does himself proud. This is the first in what is likely to be a long career of theatrical and film appearances. All in all a wonderful evening at the theatre. This production deserves a longer life and should transfer. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (12.103.239.82) | 20 Nov 03 |
| We had a blast. What a funny play. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.92.194.14) | 20 Nov 03 |
| A great production - David Bamber deserves another Olivier! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.128.114.66) | 19 Nov 03 |
| I laughed - I cried. What more do you want? Great fun. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 18 Nov 03 |
| What a fab night out! Good play and a great production. Go see! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (172.185.167.245) | 18 Nov 03 |
