Having been impressed by this play at the Lyttelton (see below) it was interesting to see how it translates as a cinema experience. The most obvious factor is that it was very loud with most of the actors appearing to shout, especially Julie Walters. This is just about OK for such larger than life characters but does take away a lot of the subtlety. Helen McCrory's performance actually seems to be even better on screen as you can more clearly see the pain in her eyes but my main concern is that the choice of where to look on stage is made for you by the camera shot selected. Nothing compares to live theatre but The Last of the Haussmans is a terrific debut play in either format, albeit with a weak ending, and I look forward to seing what comes next from Stephen Beresford. - David Baxter
12 Oct 12
It's surprising but impressive for a previously obscure actor to have his first play as a writer performed at the National and directed by the venerable Howard Davies. Davies is a hugely respected director of Russian plays and some reviewers have pointed to Chekhovian overtones to Stephen Beresford's play. That might be overstating things but it is certainly a family tragi-comedy and represents an impressive debut. Although clearly character driven there is enough going on to keep you intrigued by the dysfunctional Haussmans, but Beresford doesn't quite know how to bring things to a conclusion, leading to an awkward delay before the audience responded to the curtain call. Julie Walters is relishing her role as the rebellious hippy who has screwed up her children's lives, played superbly by Helen McCrory and the peerless Rory Kinnear. Some of the set pieces seem to be a bit contrived and shoehorned into the plot but Beresford's first work is fully deserving of a place in the National's repertoire. - David Baxter
07 Sep 12
The Last of the Haussmans is truelly the best night that I have had at the theatre for a long time. The set is absolutely amazing, so much detail and constantly surprising. The cast is amazing, McCrory and Kinnear steal the show for me, both are a reverlation ton watch. The play is funny, touching and leaves a long lasting impression. I am going to see it for a second time its so good. It is right up there with some of my favorite plays, contrats to stephen Beresford on a wonderful first play. Fight to get a ticket now! - colin pearce
31 Jul 12
A fascinating play which I think will become a classic. It is multi-layered and deserves more productions concentration on the depths of the characters. Whilst Julie Walters has star-quality and is mesmerising the role of Judy needs the touch of an actress with a wider range of emotions; whilst the comic timing is excellent there is a lack of pathos. Rory Kinnear is a joy to watch and Helen McCrory is amazing; can imagine her playing Judy in her latter years as Sheila Hancock grew into the matriarch in The Anniversary. The Last Of The Haussmans is worth a visit; check out the £12 day seats - no queue this morning. - Carrie
27 Jun 12
In spite of the play's limitations I found the dialogue and characterisation engaging throughout.One of the best sets I have seen (Open Air Theatre's Ragtime-to note and learn !) and fully agree that McCrory stole the show - DCH
25 Jun 12
Very enjoyable. Had read a few reviews and was sorry I had in case it was as awful as some said. However they couldn't be more wrong. Funny, entertaining, excellent cast especially Helen McCrory - go and see for yourself. - Fiona
23 Jun 12
There's plenty of potential in this new play but it still needs work - some tightening and refining and its probably about half an hour too long. Of the actors, Helen McCrory stands out delivering an excellent performance. I was a bit dissapointed with Julie Walters. At times she seemed to slip into a caricature of her many Victoria Wood characters. Overall it felt like a work in progress that could do with further attention. - Paul Wallis
21 Jun 12
too much shouting, tedious at times, hackneyed themes, ageist (laughing at the fact that an older woman craves a sexual relationship seemed crass tous, good acting but a weak play - diana Franklin
20 Jun 12
By 1969, Dennis Hopper's film Easy Rider had already depicted sixties revolutionaries as pleasure seeking sellouts to capitalism. Mike Bartlett's play, Love Love Love considered what legacy these pleasure seekers created for their children, and Bartlett wisely depicted the situation utterly without sentiment or judgement, creating a brilliant, fair, funny and human depiction of society today. But Beresford in this play wants to have it many ways at once. He turns Judy Walters' pleasure seeking hippy, Judy Hausman, into a comic caricature, depicts her as a grotesque parent, but then backtracks to aggrandise her revolutionary zeal and portray her as some kind of hero. This is one mixed up, albeit interesting play, and it's astonishing that it merits a star cast, a London 2012 imprimatur, the full resources of the National Theatre and a live cinema screening! I suppose you win some, you lose some, but to think a year ago, the Lyttelton gave birth to the comic jewel, One Man Two Guvnors, it feels like a step backwards. Anyway, the cast are impeccable, particularly Helen McCrory and Rory Kinnear (whose human depiction here of a junkie intellectual is considerably more heartfelt than his oh-so-corporate Hamlet). If you have to see everything, the cast will redeem this for you, but if you are discriminating, see Love Love Love. - steveatplays
20 Jun 12
Left at the interval. Crass and shouty.
Some really clunking lines and the humour only occasionally worked. - Martin Elengorn
20 Jun 12
McCrory is wonderful. The play itself is fine, but lacks real drama. You will be bored at points, but you will also laugh. - David Hynes
20 Jun 12
Left at the interval...Julie irritating,Helen...shouty for no good reason,Rory..wated (not in a Keith Richards way)and woefully miscast.A baby boomer myself,too many reminders of what twirps we've become. - Jax
20 Jun 12
This is an okay play, well acted enjoyable enough mainly for Julie Walters & Helen McCory, but dont know why the put this on when there's so many old & new plays that should be done... The staging must of cost a fortune & there was really is no point to it other than the National saying look how much money we have got to spend...I'm still wondering Why this cast choose this play to do...Lets home Curious Dog in the Nightime doesnt disapoint.... - Tim
20 Jun 12
As with 'Travelling Light', the NT is again making the mistake of thinking that a few funny lines and star casting can make up for thin characterisation, sloppy storytelling, and a play that has nothing original to say about anything. Hytner has moved from intelligent populism to mindless crowd-pleasing. Perhaps it's time to call it a day? - Susan
20 Jun 12
The problem with critics is that they forget the most important thing: to see it with the eyes of a novice. A play has to WORK for everybody regardless how many similar attempts have been made. Yes, there are some cheap jokes, but life is full of them anyway but with this outstanding cast, particularly McCrory and Kinnear, it it funny, gripping, breathtaking and does not shy away from changing mood within seconds. A must see. - Elisabeth
20 Jun 12
Oh, Michael, you are so so wrong. This could be the pinnacle of a playwright's career, yet its his debut. An outstanding new play, up there with Love Love Love, Jerusalem, Clybourne Park, Posh...... - Gareth JAMES
