Humourous performances by all three cast members which examines the issues of friendship, age and tolerance without ramming the message down the audience's throat. The theatrical version of a warm and comfy winter cardigan. Fantastic. - Rob
28 Nov 11
It was an entertaining evening out but I was not enthralled or especially impressed. Ms Redgrave was an engaging Miss Daisy and Mr Jones was, I must say, a fabulous Hoke, but I struggled with Ms Redgrave's American accent (or maybe she did?) and at times I must admit I couldn't quite disentangle Mr Jones's mumbling, artful though it was. The seats we had were not fantastic and if I went again I would NOT sit in the Grand Circle! Maybe I can just blame the angle of view for everything. - Isobel
11 Nov 11
Although Driving Miss Daisy won a Pulitzer Prize for Alfred Uhry and the film version won Oscars, it's a surprisingly pedestrian play, if you'll excuse the pun. The warmth of the relationship between the cantankerous Miss Daisy and Hoke, her deferential but dignified chauffeur, unfolds gently with little in the way of action to enliven things. Even at 85 minutes it can seem overlong so it needs exceptional performances to highlight the small moments. Fortunately this Broadway transfer does not disappoint. Vanessa Redgrave superbly suggests Daisy's gradual loss of faculties and increasing reliance on Hoke and James Earl Jones makes it clear that behind Hoke's "Yes'm" deference there is a man with a very definite sense of his own position and worth. Boyd Gaines does not seem to have received the same accolades but he is terrific as Daisy's son and provides the one incendiary moment when he explains why a Georgia Jew could not be seen attending a rally for Martin Luther King lest he become a victim of Southern anti-semitism and racism. The play closes with remarkable scenes of tenderness between Daisy and her finally acknowledged best friend Hoke but is then followed by a rather odd but distinctly American curtain call. Driving Miss Daisy is a fairly ordinary play elevated by a remarkable cast. - David Baxter
10 Nov 11
I have not seen it here in London as I saw it last October in New York with the same leads and I felt it was superb. Both Miss Redgrave and Mr Jones give great and polished performances. It is a heart warming story and well executed on stage. - Joe Spiteri
20 Oct 11
Once again a WoS review I don't agree with at all and apparently I am not the only one as people far more prestigious than my humble self found this play heartwarming and very well acted. I saw it when Ms Redgrave was off, but the understudy was really good, although she did not render the ageing bit too well. Boyd Gaines does not get enough mentions because of the two other big stars of the play, but he was just amazing. As for Mr Earl Jones, what I can say? I hope I get to his age having still his enthusiasm for my job. A small jewel, not to be missed. - Reddie45
13 Oct 11
That review is all thinking, no feeling. So the play's simple, but beautifully so. Aging and friendship are simple concepts, but the former happens to all of us, and the latter offers just about the only solace. James Earl Jones has funny bones, inspiring confidence in the audience that he will deliver his lines perfectly in the way the best stand-ups do. With him, you never squirm fearfully that he will deliver a funny line any less than perfectly. And Vanessa Redgrave uses her eyes so incredibly expressively. As they age (Redgrave uses her body in such a way that you really believe she is getting older) and become friends, I found myself very touched, and I don't think it's because I'm overly sentimental. This is one of the best double acts of the year. - Steve
