I went to see this on the 12th April, it was so hyped up by a friend of a friend that I literally was desperate to see it.
Ten minutes in I had a sinking feeling that this was a mistake.
It wasn't cutting edge, moving or even 'written with conviction'. The swearing was ridiculous. The audience laughed at the brutality of it but it was an uncomfortable laugh - like when someone tips a coffin precariously at a funeral.
I heard from my friend that it's been transferred to Peckham now so lets only hope that now that the hype has worn off the play disappears somewhere even more unheard of than the local theatre.
Awful, patronising, cringe worthy and I hate using these words but in the third scene it was like a christmas special of Eastenders ( an x rated one of course).
Well done for bringing up a topical theme but this wasn't a good play and the cast and the team working on it must have used up their supply of friends and family tickets by now surely! - HGem
20 Apr 12
It's hilarious that the reviews of this play have gone to war with each other, confirming the point of this play that people are always going to war with each other, though they may profess not to understand how they get into them. The play is one of the shortest I have seen at one hour, but it is a worthwhile hour. There is not a moment's lull over the course of the hour, and I believed nearly every exchange I was watching. None of the bad language is gratuitous, but rather captures street vernacular of young people everywhere. More critically, the bad language is important as it is part and parcel of the universal proneness to aggression that is the play's raison d'etre. I enjoyed both sets of actors, the young, and the even younger. (This is a lovely contrast to the other play in the Young Writer's Festival, which focused on the old, and the old at heart). I don't believe that the theme is intricately plotted into the action, but the play is nonetheless effective at making it's case about our always present capacity for violence, and the ways we justify and spin our actions to present our own violence as worthy. Ultimately, the actors make an indelible impression: the simmering anger and pursed lips of Tommy McDonnell's Danny, the coy sideways glances and "lady doth protest too much" exclamations of Abby Rakic-Platt's Charlie, the brazen foolhardiness amnd sheer likeability of Ted Riley's Sammy and the teary and confused self-hatred of Danielle Flett's Emily. - steveatplays
12 Apr 12
Two strong scenes, but for the most part an unfinished piece of theatre - Darren
04 Apr 12
I found Vera compelling in parts but weak in others. I left feeling I couldnt make up my mind about it - maybe if it were longer/ more developed it would have progressed into something much more finished. - Helen R
04 Apr 12
Matt know the writer do you ? I doubt it so how would you know how she talks in everyday life. If I was around a complete prick like you I would be swearing as well.. - Ray
03 Apr 12
Why don't all you sad people that have no life stop being nasty to the writer. This is supposed to be about a play .... So why don't you all group and read the review in the proper papers noty your sad little blog's. Clearly you are all jealous because she had her play choosen and produced and its sour grapes because either you didn't or you are related/friends with someone that feels their play missed out. If the sad arse ranting on here is anything to go by we can all be thankful they didn't get choosen. - Bryn Jones
03 Apr 12
http://exeuntmagazine.com/reviews/vera-vera-vera/
The way the writer talks in day to day life is pretty disgusting.
Not exactly a role model for thousands of young actresses hoping to have the same success - Matt
02 Apr 12
Poor. If the foul langauage was cut out it would only be 45 minutes long.
Abrupt and clumsy.
http://theatrethoughts.com/2012/04/01/vera-vera-vera-by-hayley-squires-royal-court-theatre-review/
The above review has it right.
- Jimmy D
02 Apr 12
Excellent writing, casting and direction. Kept me engrossed throughout and it had every element nailed - anger, love, pathos, naivety, bereavement, hopelessness. I could go on but my point is that I loved it! - Janice Sale
30 Mar 12
I listened to the live stream of the talk last night sent to me by the Royal Court.
Bored of Royal Court promoted writers enjoying the sound of their voice. I was hoping there would be humble advice on how to get manuscripts seen not hear someone wanting to be the new Simon Stephens. - JH
30 Mar 12
The Telegraph review nothing else needs to be said !!!! - Jade
29 Mar 12
Good writing for a first play.Everyone should be entitled to their opinion there is no need for all the nasty comments. Just review the play. - BM
29 Mar 12
one scene not a whole play. 40 minutes too long. - MK
29 Mar 12
I agree with greg read the review in the telegraph . - David
29 Mar 12
I went to see this play on saturday with my daughter and found the play to be a breath of fresh air.My first visit to the royalcourt and as a comprehensive school teacher,i found much to relate to. - susan
28 Mar 12
i saw the play on saturday night and agree with the review today in the telegraph. I found the dialogue very true to life and the acting full of promise.surprised that people want to be overtly negative. - greg
28 Mar 12
it's not great at all. - DS
28 Mar 12
I don't understand all the family/friends grief on this page. Give it a rest. Let people have an opinion and stop writing the same old crap.
The play was alright, but the ego attack from either the casts/ writers supporters is just embarrassing! Let it be! - Matt
28 Mar 12
I saw this play last night and in parts it was okay but I agree with the reviews that say that in parts it is rather slow. Some scenes were just truly boring. This outweighted the good parts for me unfortunately. More interesting to me (than the play) is the debate on these reviews between people who actually paid a ticket for the play and people who are clearly involved in the creation of it.
Comments such as 'go and see it - oh you cant its sold out' and the 'standing ovation' made me chuckle. Clearly the work of family and friends - let the play be honestly reviewed by the public. For a first piece Vera was average. Critique will help the writer/ cast get stronger. It is a shame the ego associated with these kinds of productions but the obvious negative responses from the team are just fuelling that. Accept that not everyone will enjoy your work. It will make you collectively a far more humble and skilled team. - Dominic
28 Mar 12
"saw this play last night,and the full house gave the production a standing ovation"
Er, that's a lie. - Tom
28 Mar 12
Vera is eloquent and brave and the writer's insight into loss and self worth is mature beyond her years (23 not 19 as previously quoted).Eastenders would love her as a script writer... but her talent goes beyond that. This play was chosen from 300 entries can't be all bad as 298 didn't make it to a full production. - Brenda
28 Mar 12
Vera Vera Vera is blunt and to the point.It is written with passion and maturity and was not afraid to "tell it how it is". It took taboo subjects and dealt with them, it didnt make it all sugar sweet so as not to offend.Vera is hard hitting and well worth seeing, shame it is already sold out due to the fact that it is a great play. - Trevor
28 Mar 12
saw this play last night,and the full house gave the production a standing ovation.the negative comments on here suggest that these people are not able to take in anything that takes them out of their comfort zone i.e.goodbye to all that, which has been done a hundred times before. As for James'comment of rubbish, well, all you've done there is make yourself look rather silly.well done to the royal court for letting us see how young people in this country really feel. - frank
27 Mar 12
Margaret,Michael and James what play did you watch, clearly not "Vera"The script was strong and written with compassion and conviction.As this was one of only two plays that won the YWF out of 300 entries it is really not rubbish, boring or weak.
The papers that reviewed it are not obligated in any way to praise it and gain nothing from a good or bad review but they obviously gave an honest review due to the credit it deserves.
I would urge people to go and see it to judge the play for themselves but all performances are sold out... not bad for rubbish.
- Rebecca
27 Mar 12
Not nearly as good as Goodbye to All That, which was moving, funny and amazing for such a young writer. This, by comparison, is poorly written and predictable. A bad episode of EastEnders. - AEM
27 Mar 12
I disagree that the play is badly worded but Vera, Vera, Vera was not a strong play and the 3 star review is very generous.
It is however a YWF piece and cannot be judged as a normal play. The acting was amazing and in parts brought a tear to my eye but certain scenes (mainly the ones with Danny, Emily and Lee) were slow and I actually found myself staring around rather than watching it.
Go and see if for its interesting plot and amazing cast and remember the playwright is only 19 and therefore it quite the incredible feat that this was even put on. - David
27 Mar 12
awful play - cast were good. But horribly boring and clumsily worded. - Margaret
27 Mar 12
Boring, badly worded and gratuitous use of curse words. Clearly a drama students work.
Another piece of work picked just because of the message trying to be put out.
Cast were very strong but the play was weak and if it werent in the festival it wouldn't have got 1 star or even a review in any of these papers. - Michael Hurts
