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 to so whichever show you have visited please tell us your thoughts below.
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Fredo's Theatre Group 
Noises Off
This play was along the lines of a good old-fashioned farce – fast paced, chaotic, frantic and funny. Lots of door banging, exits and entrances, actors dashing around the set and quite literally falling around! The first act may have been a little too long but that definitely set the scene for what was to come. A very clever script, exhausting for the actors no doubt but brilliant performances by a strong cast. Felicity Kendall a delight. Laughs aplenty and still wondering how the cast managed to keep it up. Thank you Fredo and Mike for an enjoyable evening.
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Noises Off
I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed Noises Off yesterday, even though it was so chaotic and barmy. Heaven knows how the cast managed it. How did they know where on the stage they were supposed to be, when their entrances were and what props were involved, when. I guess if they got anything wrong, the audience would know!
It was so funny. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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Watch on the Rhine
A remarkable play, so well written and so well produced for the small stage where the intimacy emphasises the relationship between the characters and the violence at the end. The sudden change in the second act was almost shocking and it was only when a glass of sherry was offered that we anticipated what would happen next. We are very grateful for this offering and thanks for the chance to see the play
Judith & John
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Watch on The Rhine
Another excellent production in the wonderful atmosphere of the Donmar. We are ‘in the sitting room’ with the players!
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Watch on the Rhine. Belatedly we wanted to add our praise of this production at The Donmar. Everything about it was so polished. The first impression is the set – a skilful combination of cinema screen and elegant sitting room. The action begins with a sparkling interplay between the owner,Fanny Farrell played by Patricia Hodge and the housekeeper Anise – Kate Duchêne. This sets the standard of what is to follow. From the tortured German antifascist Kurt -Mark Waschke to the enigmatic butler Joseph – David Webber- all were superb. I rather liked the disappointed wife Marthe de Branco played by Carlyss Peer. Sadly she didn’t hear our applause as she must have left at the interval. Did ,I wonder, the long stare at the audience at the start and end of the play given us by Joseph have the same effect on New York audiences in 1941 as today in such an intimate space as the Donmar ? A wonderful evening at the theatre, Fredo and Mike. Many thanks.
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Watch on the Rhine
At first glance, Lilian Hellman’s old war horse of a play (pun intended) is not a production one would expect to see at the Donmar. Sadly, there is contemporary relevance in a play about the impact an evil regime can have and the lengths to which good people are prepared go to hinder its progress even if the melodrama and plot contrivances feel very old fashioned. Full marks to the excellent cast for playing the melodrama straight and providing the emotional ending we needed in the third act. I can’t have been the only audience member with something in my eye as Kurt said goodbye to his wife. Sometimes an old war horse is worth re-visiting, despite my initial reservations
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Watch on the Rhine.
An interesting and topical storyline extremely well acted including the children with the Butler having a mild concealed distain for his employees? Well put Edwina.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for another thoroughly enjoyable evening and delighted we were able to make it in then end and for getting the tickets. Lovely close up seats!
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Watch on the Rhine
Another excellent production by the Donmar and brilliant acting by all the characters.
Although the stage area is very limited we were transported to Fanny’s Washington DC living room and her evidently genteel, privileged lifestyle. She is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her daughter (who she hasn’t seen for 20 years) as well as her her daughter’s German husband and her 3 grandchildren.
It could of been so innocent; just a long awaited mother daughter reunion and introduction to her son in law (Kurt) and grandchildren. But these are not innocent times…and we of course have hindsight: set against the backdrop of the USA emerging from its isolationist period; a reluctance to engage in another world war – sitting on the fence – but of course before being forced to enter following the Pearl Harbour attack.
We learn that Kurt is an active anti fascist, a wanted man in Germany with a price on his head; but it seems his enemies are always close to hand and no more dangerously than in the form of Fanny’s house guest Teck a Romanian nobleman.
A mixture of period social comedy and spy thriller with a message that is as relevant today as it was then.
Thank you once again Fredo and Mike for another great evening of theatre at the Donmar.
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Watch on the Rhine. Very enjoyable evening at the super Donmar .Excellent cast in a play set over 80years ago is relevant to the world situation today .It was interesting in the short film at the end thar it appeared that it was Sara who encouraged Kurt to become an activist against fascism. Thank you Fredo and Mike
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Watch on the Rhine
A really enjoyable production, enhanced by the intimacy of the Donmar. The excellent cast, which included the outstanding Patricia Hodge, took us smoothly from witty and humorous family banter, to treachery, blackmail, and ultimately murder. We found the story quite thought provoking. It must certainly have “rattled a few cages” in 1941 USA, yet to experience the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Many thanks Fredo and Mike. An excellent choice, which we would otherwise have overlooked.
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Watch on the Rhine
I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening watching a very powerful, well acted performance. I could not fault anything. Thank you Fredo and Mike for giving us the opportunity to be part of it all.
Wendy Edwards
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Watch on the Rhine
The seats were very good. The acting was excellent and as was the atmosphere in the theatre . The subject matter was topical . Fredo provides an a great service and is very informative.
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We are a little late in adding our comment. Everything appears to have been said by other members so we have nothing to add. An unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable evening.
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The Unfriend
I was interested to read comments here from those who had found poor reviews of this, so I went away to Google the culprits. I found two but maybe there were others – the Time Out website and the i newspaper that awarded only two stars (that was Andrzej Lukowski saying “Wafly, unfocused and above all bland” and Fiona Mountford calling the script “lazy and unfunny”). I disagree, as do most of the other reviewers who awarded it 4+ stars. Of course laughter is a very personal response and comedy is difficult to recommend. But surely it’s possible to recognise what type of show and humour will appeal to what audience, and say so. I believe it’s possible to over-intellectualise in a review, to be too earnest and miss the point, especially if sent to review a show which may not be to the writer’s taste. And taste is an important obstacle when trying to be objective; it can sometimes wrongly overrule thinking. I had tears of laughter running down my face during the loo scene (bless you Reece Shearsmith) but I imagine others were less amused! This was performance comedy of the highest order.
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Unfriend
This was a good lesson in why not to read press reviews when booking a show! The first we read really slated it. After a bit of a slow start it soon warmed up and the rest of the play flew by. The comic timing was brilliant and the audience reaction must have been very heartening to the cast. The style of humour and the characters reminded us of the tv series ‘My Family’ with Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker’. A very enjoyable evening.
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The Unfriend
‘Twas a bleak and rainy night, so this play provided much needed cheer. There is no need to reiterate the plot as everyone will have seen it, but the acting and direction are what made it fizz. Right from the start we get the main characters lined up, an as soon as the monstrous Elsa starts up we know it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Frances Barber gives a hilarious performance as the ott Elsa who quickly shows that she will spell Trouble. The”normal” family are subsequently shown to have their cracks and wobbles, not least thanks to the kids. Has anyone been lucky enough to avoid stroppy teens? Not many I would think and these two are madly irritating but have their beady moments which they use skilfully. Reece Shearsmith is very funny as the ultimate dithering Man of the House, as is Amanda Abbingdon as his long-suffering wife, trying to cover lots of chaos with polite manners and a rictus smile. I have missed Frances Barber of late. She was great in the all-female Julius Caesar at the Donmar some while ago but don’t think she has done much since – well not in London. And now she is doing a hilarious and edgy turn; she is back where she belongs.
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Unfriend
A mix of comedy and farce well executed by all on stage. Some of the press reviews were not great I understand. I much prefer to make my own mind up and having heard Reece Shearsmith interviewed on the radio I was really looking forward to seeing the production. It didn’t disappoint and to my mind it was a great tonic for what was a drab wet January evening.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for organising another enjoyable theatre trip.
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The Unfriend
An amusing play and good to have a ‘laugh out loud’ comedy which added to a fun evening out but not for the lady who had the accident butdo wish her well.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for another most enjoyable evening. Interesting theatre.
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THE UNFRIEND
Laughed a lot, great acting – timing to perfection. A very enjoyable evening.
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The Unfriend
What a treat in these uncertain times .We laughed out loud at the best comedy we’ve seen so far on stage.Everything was spot on.Thank you Fredo and Mike
Wishing the lady who had the accident prior to the show a speedy recovery
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The Unfriend
The delightful Victorian tiled stairway down to the decorative interior of The Criterion may lead you to think that you are in for a classical concert – names of the greats proclaimed in ceramic – Cimerosa, Beethoven, Weber et al – but in fact this theatre has (I’m told) a long history of staging comedies. The Unfriend is surely a lustrous addition to that fine tradition.
I liked the quirky twists and turns of the plot, its mix of the mordant and the farcical (we all enjoy a bit of toilet humour) and its open-ended conclusion. A tour-de-force performance by Frances Barber as the ?cuckoo in the classic sit-com type nest did not unbalance the very satisfying ensemble achieved by the cast. Witty lines and witty body language hung together beautifully. Stephen Moffat’s script gave each player moments in which to shine. All in all, a wickedly cheerful evening.
Garth
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The Unfriend
A masterpiece in humour from the start, with perfect timing from the actors, an accurate observation on family dynamics and a brilliant play, proving to be a great evening out and putting a smile on winter-weary faces. Thank you Fredo and Mike.
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Unfriend
I was unsure what to expect, but another gem from Fredo and Mike, and a welcome diversion on a cold, wintry evening and escape from the news. Good performances from the cast, and commendably witty script. Full of truths…
Recommended. Thank you Fredo and Mike, a happy evening.
Jill
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The Unfriend
A comedy diamond mined from the subterranean depths of the Criterion Theatre. Humour I know is very subjective. For me, this was one of the funniest productions that I can recall. Real ” laugh out loud” comedy. The script was brilliant, the comedic timing was perfect, and the cast were outstanding. As Fredo had previously mentioned, it is very important not to prolong a comedy too much. This ended at precisely the right time. Whilst it was predictable that (spoiler alert!!) the neighbour was going to expire at that final moment, it was still hilarious.
Thanks Fredo and Mike for an evening that was great fun. I do hope the poor lady involved in the road accident makes a swift recovery.
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The Unfriend,
Great fun ,brilliant script,acting,timing first class !!!…
Thanks Fredo&Mike for a good evening..
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Orlando
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Thank you Mike and Fredo for an outstanding evening at Orlando. Emma Corrin was excellent as was the always wonderful Deborah Findlay.
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Orlando.
Wow! What a performance, loved it and the staging, always like Michael Grandage’s work. Robin ‘interesting but not my cup of tea!’ Can’t please everyone. It was easy to follow? Thank you Fredo and Mike for another most interesting evening and good seats.
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Orlando
John enjoyed this production ,found it humorous stimulating .On the other hand it didn’t hit the spot for Maggie although she enjoyed Deborah Finlay’s performance.
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Orlando
Knew that this would be different. Thank you Fredo for helping us to understand with our little intro on the coach. This always helps me to understand where the playwriting is coming from. So, wow. What a powerful message, albeit I personally would like the message of female oppression through the ages set in a more. Simplistic way. But I thought the last scenes left me with a draw towards Virginia Woolf at her time. Going to get to know her more ! Many thanks again to Fredo and Mike, for affording us all these opportunities.
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Orlando
A joyous interpretation of Virginia Woolf’s work with the serious message of the slow changes to the rights of women woven cleverly throughout.
Deborah Finlay , (always a pleasure to see her act,) gave an excellent , informative and amusing link through the ages. Emma Currin gave an outstanding performance and will look forward to seeing more plays in which she stars.
Thank you , Fredo and Mike for a very enjoyable evening with the early coach arrival home and the pick up almost in the foyer (!) added bonuses.
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Sleeping Beauty.
Excellent. Something wrong with you if you did not enjoy it.
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Thank you so much for arranging the trip to seeing The Sleeping Beauty, I really enjoyed it and loved being back at the theatre.
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Sleeping Beauty
Having always dreamt of going to a traditional ballet complete with tutus, I was very unsure what we would think of this production but wow wow wow, we were completely mesmerised throughout. The costumes were really lovely, the music the dancing, but the predominant feature was the incredible imagination of Matthew Bourne. The devils/bad fairies were just one example of this. Without resorting to yet more adjectives I will end on saying this was just a fantastic evening, unforgettable.
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Sleeping Beauty,
Thank you Fredo and Mike for such a brilliant and enjoyable evening. The modern dance against a gothic background and more traditional ballet melded together beautifully with the fabulous costumes. We loved the humorous parts, the infant and the tourists in front of the main curtain taking “selfies”, together with inspirational drama of the wonderful story complete. Such an unusual performance but so very enjoyable.
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Sleeping Beauty.
What a wonderful show. Such amazing dancing, stunning costumes and the usual out of this world choreography from the master of innovation. Don`t miss it!!
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Sleeping Beauty
You wouldn’t go to see anything by Matthew Bourne if you want traditional ballet – his productions lean more towards modern dance theatre. He thinks outside the box allowing his imagination and superb choreography skills to compliment each other. A masterful production and performance by all – thank you Fredo and Mike for an excellent start to our theatre trips with you in 2023.
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Sleeping Beauty
A delightful, imaginative version of this well loved tale. Matthew Bourne thinks outside the box and this production brought clever, magical elements and beautiful music to a performance I could happily watch again. Thank you Fredo and Mike for such a wonderful New Year experience.
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Sleeping Beauty
What a wonderful way to start the New Year with a gorgeous Gothic Romance. For us, Sir Matthew never disappoints. I have seen it before and, it was even better than my memory served. We loved all the dancing talent and choreography and all the other production aspects that add up to a masterful production – touches of humour were inspired too. Looking forward to more fabulous shows. Thanks to theatreguys!
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Thought it was a wonderful ballet
Loved the fantastic reinterpretation of a classic
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Sleeping Beauty
We thoroughly enjoyed Mathew Bourne’s exciting production, the sets and dramatic lighting were amazing. We note that the baby doesn’t seemed to have grown much since we first saw it many years ago. So must be magic!
Thank you Fredo and Mike for a wonderful year of thoroughly enjoyable theatre visits.
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Sleeping Beauty
Nicola and I have not been up to the theatre for a while and to see such a good production was a joy. Matthew Bourne never disappoints.
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I haven’t been to the Theatre since lockdown started and I thoroughly enjoyed Sleeping Beauty having always been a fan of Matthew Bourne’s adaptations, didn’t realise how much I missed my Theatre trips
Thank you Fredo and Mike
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The Sleeping Beauty
This was my first Matthew Bourne. Forget tu-tus and points! This is more Bourne-meets-Fosse-meets Diversity! The choreography was sensational, the storyline surprisingly dark. But ‘Vive la difference’!
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Sleeping Beauty
We both enjoyed the performance, a typical Matthew Bourne interpretation of a traditional fairy story. Yes, it was dark both in terms of the story and stage setting, but nevertheless very enjoyable. Not all the coach were enthusiastic, and if this was their first Matthew Bourne production, I can understand a feeling of being underwhelmed. A better introduction to his work, where you expect loud, fast, colourful and cheeky productions, would be Nutcracker or Cinderella, or even Swan Lake with the black swans.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for all you hard work during the year and we look forward to joining you both at the theatre next year. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
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Sleeping Beauty
Not quite the performance we remembered taking our children to see many years ago.
Matthew Bourne has managed to create an “X rated” version of this timeless classic, where the family live happily ever after having all become vampires!! Original, or grotesque? Whatever one’s view we enjoyed it immensely. Never mind the excellent performers, we felt totally exhausted at the end.
At times it became a little manic, but that did not detract from the sheer spectacle of the production. Two hours of pure escapism.
Special mention must be made of the baby, whose performance during the opening scene was brilliant. Such natural stagecraft at such an early age was amazing, and bodes well for a long and successful theatrical career.
Thank you so much Fredo & Mike, not only last night, but for all your work throughout the year. Have a great Christmas, and a happy New Year. Look forward to seeing you in 2023.
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The Sleeping Beauty
A wonderful interpretation by Matthew Bourne of this classic. Fabulous costumes and make up. I especially liked the Helen Bonham Carter look-a-like ladies and the long flowing locks and coat frocks on the men.
A very enjoyable evening and Pre Christmas treat.
Thank you , Mike and Fredo.
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Sleeping Beauty.
Wonderful music,a touch tedious in the first half and parts of the second but then it is an alternative production and was generally enjoyable…not one of his best.
Thanks Fredo&Mike….Merry Christmas
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Such a brilliant evening. Took a while to tune in to the Scottish accents. So powerful, yes I`d definitely give it a 4 star.
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Mary
An unexpected very enjoyable evening.
The play was interesting and after Quentin Letts article in the Sunday
Times we were not expecting this to be as good as it was.
The acting and dialogue were exceptional especially Douglas Henshall
In the first act. The other actors Brian Vernal and Rona Morrison were very convincing
In their parts. We would give this a 4 star instead of the 2 given by the Sunday Times.
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