Here

Synopsis

Here is a touching and brilliant razor-sharp comedy about a young couple facing the challenge of organising their new apartment and their new relationship. Here is where everything happens. Here and now - in the space around us that we can see and touch. For Phil and Cath, in this one small studio flat, as they begin to construct their life together. For them the whole past history of the universe has led up to this moment, and its whole future history will be determined by what they decide together. Here. Now. But how to decide anything, when the other person keeps disagreeing? And when the woman downstairs keeps dumping the left-over remains of her own life on you...?

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 30 April 2012

This is an especially fecund time for Michael Frayn, whose Here at the Rose, in a persuasive revival by Lisa Spirling, marks a notable rehabilitation of a play received as a mixed blessing at the Donmar Warehouse in 1993.

With a new novel just published, Noises Off packing them in at the Novello and an acclaimed revival of Democracy heading to the Old Vic from the Frayn fest at the Sheffield Crucible you would forgive the playwright, no spring chicken, for taking his foot off the pedal.

Instead, he offers a heavily revised and re-jigged version of a play that is part philosophical exercise and part love story wrapped in smart but unshowy dialogue revolving round the occupation of a bare attic apartment in suburbia.

Cath and Phil are on the brink of a life together, planning its practicalities, not its meaning. That comes later. Their conversation is spiky, tentative, concern...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

David Heaton - 12 May 2012:

Don't go and see this if you are young and in love and have stars in your eyes, but it is a must-see for those of us who have 'been there'. Frayn's comedy is restrained but heartfelt and Alison Steadman's role only adds to the immense charm of this fantastic play. Go see. ...

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Alison Steadman stars in Rose revival of Frayn's Here More»