Three stars and nearly four - an enjoyable firecracker. Even in this 75-minuter, though, there were a couple of longueurs that made it drag a bit. However, you can't fault the performances, especially Eddie Redmayne, whose stage presence and pitch-perfect American accent, are mesmerising. If I were to pick a hole with the plot, I would say that - in the real world - the President's PR team would have drafted and issued the news statement to the media immediately to limit the damage, rather than wait for Redmayne's indignant and naive John to give them permission to check the wording. The son may have been trying to make a point about free speech but, on the all-important election night, they would have been a lot swifter to act. - Andrew B
14 Oct 08
I had to check, sorry Mr Billington I meant Mr Coveney. - rds
06 Oct 08
I've just seen the WOS review is only giving it 2 stars...Darh!! Is that Billington? I don't know as I haven't checked it out yet. And as I am in full flow I can't be arsed to do so, but if it is, he should hang up his cape and pencil now! This is without doubt a terrific piece of theatre performed by a terrific cast and led by a superb and supremely confident Eddie Redmayne as the President Elect's troubled son. I had the good fortune of seeing him in both Hecuba, at the Donamr and The Goat.., at the Almeida and he is a stunning actor. He and Andrew Garfirld are the new generation of great British actors. (And no I'm not their mums, but I know talent when I see it). The writer Christopher Shinn has deftly crafted a witty yet challenging piece of writing which disorientates our moral compass and in so doing makes us take stock of what and who we think we are. It's a terrific play, a world premiere, and just the kind of thing we hoped for from the Royal Court and don't always get. As someone here has said - "the Royal Court is back on form". Well Done and if it doesn't get a transfer to the West End it will be a crime. - rds
06 Oct 08
This is really good. The text is interesting and the delivery exciting. There is another beautiful set and the direction is slick and detailed. What more could you want? - joesmith
26 Sep 08
Extremely interesting and engaging production. Eddie Redmayne is excellent in portraying his complex character. - TS
18 Sep 08
What a relief.....the 'good new play famine' is over and the Royal Court is back on form (after it's misguided dalliance with the absurdists and some re-runs). Though it's premise isn't original, this is an excpetionally well written play which debates the issues intelligently. It balances the personal and the public story very well and the productioon is finely judged (with the exception of one moment when the father's behaviour is pushed just beyond plausibility). There isn't a fault in the casting and Eddie Redmayne is outstanding. It may be only 75 minutes, but it felt like a fully formed proper play and I left the theatre completely satisfied. - Gareth James
16 Sep 08
It's an intelligent and worthy piece, airing some important issues, with technically adroit performances and confident direction. Sadly, the WOS reviewer is right in hinting the material's not really been worked into a play: another hour, and more fully-fleshed out characters, might just do it (though that might lead to Shavian aridity - it's just his sort of talky posturing that's going on). As things are, you wait in vain for a final twist, like that delivered in a short story (my companion thought the boy would shoot himself); afterwards, you realise that you knew from ten minutes in more or less where the evening was going. Disappointing. - acheron
16 Sep 08
over written and trite performances. - pwh1980
14 Sep 08
short sharp and brilliant. - jonny
13 Sep 08
Excellent short ensemble piece which pitches liberal son with balanced and fair ideas about society and the islamic attitude towards it against pragmatic father and his staff whose fairness is somewhat more ambivalent. Inherent contradictions in the latter's attitudes are exposed and a dilemma becomes more pressing. Thought-provoking and finely performed. - kilburncat
09 Sep 08
Well written, well acted, fast-paced contemporary play. The acting by Eddie Redmayne and the rest of the cast is outstanding and the issues raised in the play will keep you thinking well after the play. This surely is one of the best plays this year. - Terence Nahar
08 Sep 08
Well written, well acted, fast-paced contemporary play. The acting by Eddie Redmayne and the rest of the cast is outstanding and the issues raised in the play will keep you thinking well after the play. This surely is one of the best plays this year. - Terence Nahar
08 Sep 08
Saw Eddie Redmayne last night at this and he was astounding. Pitch perfect American accent and body language; he didn't seem to act, but just be in the moment. The play is also very clever, subtle and thought-provoking. Get your ticket now before the reviews come out and it sells out.
My only gripe is that it was too short - a very rare complaint I make! - addicted to theatre
