What did you think of the show?
This is the page where we would like you to tell us about your theatre experiences. Please do say if you enjoyed a show, or even if you didn’t – your feedback is important to us. It’s simple, we only have this one page for you to add your comments, so whichever show you have visited please tell us your thoughts below.
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theatreguys 
The Importance of of Being Ernest
As most I assume already know this play.
My verdict
Performers Excellent
Production Vibrant ,colourful and untraditionally over the top
Enjoyment factor Top marks
Recommend Definitely
Wonderful evening of laughter in these trying times times
Than you Fredo and Mike and also Bill for a very slick journey home
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The Importance of being Earnest
A great cast finely tuned, brilliant wit and timing; the most hilarious performance I have seen for some time. I enjoyed it all.
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Othello
Really appreciate the wonderful shows you organise. Thank you.
Best wishes
Jane
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Monica and Robin
Othello
We thoroughly enjoyed Othello and it deserved its standing ovation. Interesting simple staging and effective. We have seen Othello several times one of which was Lenny Henry. It always incenses me how evil someone can be but Shakespeare showing it happens?
No problem with hearing loops, in fact, really didn’t need one, for me.
Thank you again Fredo and Mike .
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Othello
it was a small group at the Haymarket for this performance of Tom Morris’s serviceable production. It turned out that many of the group didn’t know the play, and were gripped by the drama. Tension was generated in the great scenes when Othello’s self-assurance is undermined by Iago, but there was a slight loss of power in other scenes. Even so, it’s a great play, and it was great to introduce people to it.
Fredo
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Monica
Unbelievers.
Interesting John, I was in the very back row of the balcony and also couldn’t get a hearing loop as out of range. Luckily they were ‘mic’d’ up, as soon as Nicola Walker spoke thought ‘oh good’ I can hear but then unfortunately it did lose range so on occasions struggled to hear. As Wendy said we had the synopsis which gave us clues on what was happening.
Well done to all the cast and especially Nicola Walker. Another most interesting
afternoon at the theatre so thank you Fredo and Mike for choosing all these interesting plays. Also an easy trip by train and a matinee which allowed us to visit the Saatchi Gallery!
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The Unbelievers
What a devil of a play to get a handle on. This was the second play, on two consecutive days, where we saw plays that showed storylines wilfully chopped up and scattered. In Mary Page Marlow (Old Vic) we saw various moments in the life of the eponymous Mary but had to work out the plotline. The Unbelievers did a similar teasing treatment to the examination of the effects of a disappeared son on his mother and family. Both plays produced gripping performances. Susan Sarandon was very good at her fragments Mary, but Nicola Walker has achieved a sensational success as Miriam, the mother of the missing boy. Other writers have produced interesting comments, but I do want to give further praise to both Ella Lily Highland as Margaret, and to Amy Baldwin as Nancy. Both were wonderfully “present” in the stew of emotions, and had the great ability to listen to others when not actually speaking. I felt that the ending was moving, a resting period where the family could relax over a meal with some wine, until the next moment of friction would inevitably occur.
And note to Wendy re the hearing loop. I was in row B where I doubted I would need a hearing device but tried to get one nevertheless, only to find that the Royal Court’s system was not geared up for that part of the auditorium. I did hear most of it, but it would have been easier to cope with a complex play to have heard an even greater quantity of the text.
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I enjoyed Unbelievers enormously, in spite of the difficult and often unsettling storyline. I’ve never seen Nicola Walker in such a role before — it was quite stunning to watch her transformation from a grieving mother to someone consumed by anger and confusion. Her performance was absolutely gripping, keeping us on the edge of our seats throughout.
Nicola Walker’s character also seemed to be struggling with underlying mental or emotional issues. Her moods were up and down — one moment calm and reflective, the next unpredictable or explosive — hinting at a deeper instability beneath her grief. The references to multiple relationships added to the sense of someone searching for meaning or connection while emotionally adrift.
I’ve read in a couple of newspaper reviews that the humour detracted from the play, but we felt quite the opposite — it added a relatable, very human touch amidst the tension. That said, Nancy’s boyfriend’s comedy was somewhat overdone, as was some of Lorraine’s behaviour, but these were minor distractions in what was otherwise a powerful and unforgettable production.
A thoroughly gripping, stunning play that will stay with me for a long time.
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The Unbelievers
Unfortunately I struggled with hearing and understanding the words during the performance which understandably spoilt my enjoyment of the play.
This is the second time I have tried to use the hearing loop at the Royal Court with similar problems as before so had to rely on my hearing aids.
Having read ‘Setting the Scene’ I understood the plot and know the actors performed very well but just wish I could have heard all the words.
I did have a really good day out though with Monica.
Thank you.
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The Unbelievers
It was a horrid day yesterday but a perfect day to visit The Royal Court. My Mother was born and brought up in Chelsea, as I was, although I never visited the theatre when I was young!
I thought Nicola Walker and all the supporting cast did a great job with a difficult and sad play last night. I came home with, perhaps, a little more understanding and compassion to what some parents have to suffer as a result of losing a child. I could only guess beforehand.
Thank you Fredo and Mike
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The Unbelievers
Jennifer’s question of “What purpose the play was serving?” is a very worthwhile one. “The Unbelievers” did not have a traditional structure and although there were some definite climaxes – the reaction of Miriam to the seance and the final speech before dinner for example – in some ways it lacked a conclusion. For me, it was simply an expression of terrible grief at the loss of someone. Since it portrayed the family’s grief at having a teenage son/brother go missing, in some ways it could never be concluded because the play offered no explanation or solution to the disappearance. Theatrically it allowed Nicola Walker to stun us with the brilliance of her acting. She is always utterly convincing and she was here. The play explored the trauma the son’s absence produced which showed itself in anger, guilt, sarcasm and a welter of other emotions. I did enjoy the comic relief provided by the puffin man (Harry Kershaw) and Lucy Thackeray although it may have been a little long. I’ve never been totally convinced about catharsis but I think that may be what I felt as I left The Royal Court Theatre yesterday.
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The Unbelievers
As members of Fredo’s group we’re privileged to see a range of theatrical productions, some of which can be challenging and difficult to watch and some of which enable us to learn something new about life. The Unbelievers certainly fell into the former category. We’re plunged straight into the aftermath of the disappearance of Miriam and David’s teenage son and, as the action unfolds, witness the impact of this awful event on the family at different times but, confusingly, not in chronological order. Nicola Walker as Miriam gives an acting masterclass as she struggles to cope descending into the depths of grief, despair and mental instability. Walker is ably supported by the actors playing her family and we see how the disappearance affects each of them in different ways.
As impressed as I was by the acting, I found the tone varied oddly at times particularly in a scene of social embarrassment with David’s new girlfriend and prospective son in law that belonged in a different play. At this point, I began to wonder what purpose the play was serving. Was it to let us know that losing a child is unbearable, that it can drive a parent mad? Was it to put us in the position of the voyeur who follows these terrible stories in the media as they unfold and who, in some cases, posts vicious comments online about the family? I really wasn’t sure but I feel Nick Payne, the playwright, missed his opportunity to use this harrowing work to reveal something to us about what it means to be human. What a shame.
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The Unbelievers.
I experienced this performance as very raw and exhausting. That is probably how I was supposed to feel and maybe what the playwright intended to portray with Nicola Walkers performance. This makes it a success therefore. Who knows how we would be in that situation. At first I was irritated by her lack of connection with the others, but of course that’s what it is all about. A brilliant and unique portrayal. Thank you Fredo and Mike for this opportunity to experience this great art form from such brilliant acting. Jan.
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Words for your feedback:
Jules just asked me to post these words
I haven’t been to the theatre for quite some time, and today was a powerful reminder of what it means to be fully immersed in a story, to be taken on a journey by actors so skilled at their craft that you forget where you are. The play was intense, at times uncomfortable, but deeply satisfying. It reminded me that discomfort can be a vital part of what it means to be human and that the arts hold a rare space for us to feel, question, and be moved in that way.
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The Unbelievers
As Richard too poorly to attend I went with my daughter -in-law who lives on IoW and therefore doesn’t get many opportunities to see live London theatre . So I am posting comments she made when we had our post show train journey back to Chalkwell.-
“ Great seats ,such a treat however it’s not often you pay to be upset ! However I thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of seeing such fine acting, a brilliant set and a very engaging theme. Definitely lots to think about and was glad of little uplifting moments of humour within the play . “ comments by Jules.
My comments probably echo those of Jules’ –
Nicola Walker , as ever , very convincing character acting . After a slightly erratic , not sure what this is all about , opening we dive straight into the core of the theme of play and all its tumultuous emotions and inter family love hate relationships. Can’t believe how quickly time went watching this play to the foetal , under the table grief of the mother to the last supper very emotional scene. Wow!
Thanks Fredo and Mike
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Thank you Fredo for your synopsis of the story it was necessary.
The ballet was spectacular, clever choreography especially the magical realism scenes and Elena’s ghost appearances. Wonderful dancing.
The clever sometimes discordant music seemed to reflect the thread of unrequited love throughout the discordant energy of the household to its almost conclusion at the end with an exhilarating pas de deux where Tita and Pedro seemed to melt together almost as one. Such chemistry.
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Monica
Like Water For Chocolate.
Just loved it all, couldn’t fault it as it was so different from usual ballets? I would love to see it again! Will certainly read the book. Might choose it for my Book Group?
Thank you Fredo and Mike (missed you Mike) for taking us back to the ROH, always a treat.
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Like Water for Chocolate
It’s always a pleasure to visit the Royal Opera House. A thoroughly enjoyable evening climaxing in the third act with the pas de deux which was electrifying and made good use of the set design.
Thank you Fredo for another entertaining evening.
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Like Water for Chocolate
We were so excited to go back to the Opera House after all this time, we were not disappointed, says I tongue in cheek. The ballet was a tad strange to say the least, glad we knew the story beforehand otherwise we would’ve been totally lost. Having said that it did reveal itself by the end as it had drawn us the audience into the story! The dancers were an absolute joy to watch and the music really created the atmosphere needed to help the story along. So yes we’re actually pleased we saw it would we rush back probably not. Thanks Fredo and Mike for your continued help in showing us what’s out there in Theatreland
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Like chocolate,like water,
Lovely to get back to the ROH….thanks Fredo n Mike..
The ballet ….the sets and special effects were great ,the dance a touch strange here and there and sometimes brilliant,especially in the third set…I’m glad I knew the basics of the story or I’d have struggled…found the music a touch strange,almost uncoordinated with the dance.Think it was brave to make a ballet based on that story…still have mixed thoughts..?
Thanks Fredo n Mike..
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