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.
PLEASE GIVE THE TITLE OF THE SHOW AT THE START OF YOUR COMMENT. All comments will remain for a while before having to be deleted to make room for more. A limited number of comments appear per page – to read older comments click on Older Comments, then back to Previous Comments.
Go to the Leave A Reply box at foot of page, even if you are starting a new subject….write your comments, then click on the blue envelope symbol (you can ignore Website and Login), add your Name and then click on Reply. Your comment will only appear after you refresh the page.
The first time you post any comment you might be asked to Register with your email address and a password, but after that you will only have to use your name and email address to add later comments. The latest comment will appear first, at the top of the page, then move down as later ones are added. Give it a try, it’s easy once you begin.
theatreguys 
The Spy Who Came in From The Cold.
We thoroughly enjoyed the play. Think you have to suspend disbelief in practical reality and enjoy the play the way it was staged which was cleverly done and then it became interesting entertainment. It was well presented with a slick cast though Robin did wonder how they could stage it? Worked well in the round and do like the theatre.
I also fancy seeing the Richard Burton film though I believe Elizbeth Taylor visited the rehearsals a lot as Claire Bloom was in it which of course R.B and her had a fling?!
How wonderful it is seeing all these different productions which of course is down to Fredo and Mike. Thank you both for giving us these opportunities.
LikeLike
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Keith and I really enjoyed this, particularly Keith, even though he knew the ending.
He wondered how they would enact climbing the wall when suddenly the wall came up from the floor!
I really like the theatre, enjoying the difference of being ‘in the round’.
The actors gave their all and were excellent in a quite complex storyline.
Thank you Fredo and Mike yet again for providing us with another excellent opportunity.
LikeLike
THe Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Thoroughly enjoyed last night’s spy mystery” The Spy that came in from the cold” First half not so easy to hear and follow but second half much better with a surprise ending. Loved the theatre, Soho Place(in the round), not been there before but sadly bad design meant it took a long time to exit!!!
Marian C
LikeLike
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Another interesting evening at the theatre. We both enjoyed this production particularly John .The wheeling and dealing of the upper echelons was chilling especially as their spies were just expendable . The minimalist setting worked well and the Berlin Wall coming unexpectedly through the floor was unexpected .Shall not add any spoilers but I was very fearful in one particular scene .
Thank you again Fredo and Mike for your encouraging us to see such a variety of theatre. Lovely to see you last night
LikeLike
The Spy who came in from the Cold
I have never read any books by John le Carr’e, and have never really been a fan of this genre. It always seemed a bit “Boy’s Own, ripping yarns” to me. I often wonder what sort of information spies pass on, and with all the “turning” and “double agent” stuff going on is the information worth all the trouble or would it all have “come out in the wash” anyway? My view of spies is the same as my view of politicians. What is the point of them?
However, pushing all of that cynicism to one side, I thoroughly enjoyed the production. Superb performances from the cast, with Rory Keenan’s portrayal as Alec Leamas verging on mesmerising. The minimal staging, and excellent mood lighting created quite a tense, almost sinister atmosphere.
People have described the first act as a little slow. Yes it was. But I felt that was right, as it served to give the audience time to absorb the farrago of lies and treachery that was unfolding.
The second act, by comparison, simply flew by, as theories and expectations formed during the first act were either confirmed or shattered.
Overall, an extremely enjoyable evening at a unique venue. I would describe the Soho Place as the Donmar Warehouse on steroids. Can’t give higher praise than that!
Thanks Fredo and Mike for another great night out. There was just something missing during the coach journeys. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was!
LikeLike
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Well-deserved plaudits to the extensive cast, all of whom gave us precision-drilled and committed performances. Many of them undertook more than one role. Few escaped the chore of wheeling on to the stage from all four corners a succession of drinks-trollies, tables, chairs, tea trays, mattresses and other items aimed at scene-painting/scene-shifting for the in-the-round presentation. Call me crotchety, but the succession of micro-scenes and the associated to-ings and fro-ings was a tad irritating. Likewise, in-the-round requires that the actors are ceaselessly circling each other in an effort to be fair to the audience. This fragmented format maybe was unavoidable, given the tortuous plot. To be fair, the staging worked better in the second half – where a very convincing bit of water-boarding, the tribunal scene and the dynamic Berlin Wall livened things up no end.
The Le Carré industry has over the decades drawn our attention to the human frailties associated with the defence of the realm and I suppose that now, at a time when spying is once again hitting the media headlines, it’s good to be reminded of what it can entail.
Garth
LikeLike
The Spy who etc
I have to admit that I’ve never read a Le Carre novel. However, given the ubiquity of his fictional creations, I don’t need to have read the books to know that they represent the secretive and dangerous world of British spies during the Cold War as Britain’s influence and power declined after WWII and the Suez Crisis. Most of Le Carre’s anti-heroes are dedicated, hard working patriots who’ve worked their way up within a system run by the old boy public school network, just like many of us. Unlike us, they’ve also been trained in how to kill an assailant with their bare hands…… Is it a surprise that the books are so ubiquitous?
I’ve enjoyed film and TV adaptations of Le Carre’s work so welcomed the opportunity to see The Spy on stage. At first, with the in the round staging and the cast coming and going during many, many short scenes, I found it difficult to engage with the action. Rory Keening was a sympathetic protagonist (see above) as Leamas but his unlikely affair with his beautiful and completely smitten younger colleague strained my credibility. The introduction of George Smiley, Le Carre’s most famous creation, was more effective as he manipulated events and acted as Leamas’s sort of spirit guide (not that any spy worth his salt would admit to such a thing).
After the interval, we reached the nub of the story with Leamas subject to convincingly staged torture and trial by his counterparts and the authorities in East Berlin. The mood was dark and threatening and, as the labyrinthine plot was gradually revealed (no spoilers here), I was gripped. So much so, that I might seek out the film, starring Richard Burton and made in 1965, and watch it while sipping a glass of whisky and toasting Alec Leamas.
LikeLike
The Maids
We were left not quite sure how we felt. Fredo’s setting the scene notes were a great help though and it became obvious why the claustrophobic and frenzied production should not be punctuated by an interval. We didn’t think the music at the open and close needed to be so loud or lengthy nor that the curtains around the set needed to be in place for so long. However the quality of the casts’ performance, delivering such a testing play, could not be doubted and the use of technology was intriguing. Are we glad that we went? yes, a play we’ll not forget and that has perhaps stimulated more discussion than usual.
LikeLike
The Maids
I was not expecting to enjoy the play as much as I did, however I did find the loud music at the beginning unnecessary! I too was grateful to have had guidance before re the setting etc. I would have struggled otherwise.
The acting was excellent and no need to add to what has been said previously – except to say that I would probably not have booked to see the play without Fredo and Mike making aware of the production.
LikeLike
The Maids
I enjoyed it – I think! Still left wondering, The performers were excellent and I wondered what they thought when they first read the script. The modern technology with the mobile phones was interesting and clever but I hope we won’t be seeing too many productions using it I hadn’t understood how filters worked until it was explained to me later so I did learn something. Unfortunately I lost the last speech by Solonge because although she tried the music drowned her out but I guess younger people may have heard better. Thank you for taking us to something quite different. We do see a wide range of productions and we are very fortunate with your choices. Look forward to the next one.
LikeLike
THE MAIDS We went to the Maids at the Donmar on Monday and it was a riveting performance. I read your synopsis prior to attending but I still found the last 15-20mins confusing ! It appeared the game between the sisters got out of hand and one murdered the other instead of the planned killing of the real madame ? Or have I got this completely wrong ? Having read the programme which mentions the various forms the play has taken over many years in the hands of different directors, I suppose it is no surprise it stimulates differing thoughts. Catherine
LikeLike
The Maids
Well, it was definitely different and I agree with a lot of the comments already expressed. However, I did enjoy the production although not quite as much as those previously seen at the Donmar.
The use of digital photography was interesting if somewhat bizarre at times plus
the acting was extremely good so thank you for facilitating another interesting theatre visit.
LikeLike
Thank you Fredo for ‘setting the scene’ which was crucial to enjoying the play which I did.
Is this play like modern day slavery? The maids given bed and board and a less than minimum wage while loathing the daily contemptible treatment from the Madam.
It seemed the projected mobile phone images were both a manifestation of their tangled lives and release of feelings of despair and hate for the Madam. The acting was amazing so many lines to remember and diction so clear no hearing aid needed.
LikeLike
The Maids
Despite the good acting and imaginative staging, I did not enjoy this play. The first scene with the two maids went on for too long and became tedious. Things improved when Madam appeared, but by then I no longer cared.
An occasion where I was very glad of the final curtain, and a first, so I will write off the experience and look forward to next time. My thanks nevertheless to Mike and Fredo.
LikeLike
The Maids
I was so pleased to have read Fredo’s ‘setting the scene’ before seeing this play as the beginning would have been a little confusing, especially as seen through a veiled stage. But eventually all became clear. The three actors gave us brilliant and faultless performances. How did they memorise all their lines and give us such energetic performances throughout? Full marks to them.
The two sisters (The Maids) portrayed their angst and despair with their lowly roles in life unequivocably and the mistress’ attitude to the pair was astonishing in a shocking way. No wonder the sisters plotted her demise through their nightly ritual ceremony, such was their despair. The use of mobile phone images/filters transposed onto giant screens was novel, adding to the craziness. The play was so full-on with emotions, visuals, energy and tensions that I felt quite emotionally drained and exhausted by the end. It was an unusual and clever play, if not a little too long.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for once again giving us the chance to see a play that was so different, modern and definitely one that wouldn’t have been on my radar normally.
LikeLike
Very pleased that we read the Setting the Scene before seeing this production so we had an idea what it was all about . The plan to kill their appalling mistress went disastrously wrong for the sisters.Their employer came out on top, whereas maids lost everything one her life . I found the mobile screening a bit confusing and distracting . Can’t fault the energy and acting of the three young actors . Think this wasn’t for me but its always a pleasure going to the theatre especially with Theatguys
LikeLike
Monica
The Maids.
Agree with Andrew’s comments as you could even say it was sort of bizarre?
Have always raved about the Donmar productions but can’t say the same about this play though very pleased to have seen it, not heard of Genet. I was also interested in seeing, as it said, there was a different approach to the special effects and staging which it was re the mobiles. Robin made the right decision not seeing it, not his scene! Gives us plenty to talk about. Must say, I agreed with Madame re the flowers and was taken with her performance though the three of them gave it their all.
As always another most interesting evening so thank you again Fredo and Mike. Opens our horizons? Would be interested in hearing from others who were not ‘Fredo-ites?!’
LikeLike
The Maids
For once, with a Donmar Production, I found it very difficult to become totally immersed. The acting from the three cast members was superb, in what must have been a very difficult production to perform. It is probably unfair to single out an individual member for praise, however, I especially enjoyed the performance of Yerin Ha as the odious Madame, the employer of the two sisters.
The fact that the sisters were planning to murder their employer was hardly surprising, as she treated them both appallingly. The Sisters’ plotting and play acting as to how they would achieve their objective would have been a sufficiently enjoyable and interesting plot to follow. However, I felt that the much vaunted technology, together with the over loud music swallowed the play to the extent that towards the end I felt quite overwhelmed, and had begun to lose interest.
Innovation in the theatre is always very welcome and the innovators should be much admired. But style has to be balanced with substance. In this production the substance was in great danger of being completely subdued.
Thanks for the recommendation Fredo and Mike. Probably my least enjoyed visit to the Donmar, but an interesting talking point nevertheless.
LikeLike
The importance of being Earnest
We thoroughly enjoyed this fresh farce/panto production. Every member of the strong cast enthusiastically embraced their role with great effect and of course Wilde’s brilliance shone throughout. Slightly confused by the finale but great fun.
As ever, thank you Fredo and Mike.
LikeLike
The Line of Beauty
The novel by Alan Hollinghurst was published in 2004 and won the Booker Prize that year. It seems to me that he has generally tried to put his finger on the pulse of the nation at a given time, which is perhaps why he only produces a new novel every decade or so. This story captures the nation over five years from 1983-1987. In 1983 Margaret Thatcher had just won her second general election victory and we were well into the thrusting greedy era of Me First, though in fact it wasn’t until 2002 that Teresa May named it the Nasty Party.
The play tells the story of a new graduate from Oxford, Nick Guest, a comfortable middle class guy, who is drawn into the orbit of the far wealthier Fedden family, whose son Toby, a college chum of Nick’s. He is instantly seduced by the glamour of the family and is persuaded to look after the Fedden daughter, Cat, while they are in Paris for a break. She is a wild girl with “issues” and is in danger of cutting herself. In the meanwhile Nick has met a young black man called Leo and they have a strong sexual relationship but only in anonymous areas such as parks or empty residences (including the Fedden house) when nobody else is around. Nick is semi-closeted but is dazzled by a series of louche, handsome men who he meets in the Fedden circle. He is also very aware of the aesthetics of furniture, paintings etc of the house. Drugs and promiscuity abound and he is soon living the high life. He and Cat form a close relationship; she is far less inhibited than her parents, who are cautious on gay issues but let it be thought that they are OK with them. Nick is seduced into a relationship with Wani and helps him produce his glossy magazine called OGEE, originally an architectural term meaning beauty, line, curves. The Line of Beauty can be the link to all beautiful objects and human bodies, or the line of frequently snorted coke towards another aesthetic. In the background there are ominous rumblings of what turn out to be the start of AIDS. Leo’s sister visits Nick to inform him that Leo has died of AIDS and she is trying to warn all of Leo’s lovers to be wary. He and Nick have not seen each other for 11 years, Nick not being able to include a working class black man into his lifestyle.
Gerald Fedden and his wife Rachel are to throw a party for their wedding anniversary and as Gerald has now been elected as a Tory MP, they want to invite people in power, including Thatcher, who Nick invites to dance. This is wittily directed towards the back of the stage, with Mrs T only observed from the back, with a big hairdo and a blue dress. When AIDS moves to the foreground of the story, the Feddens can no longer hide their deep aversion to gays and explode with hatred and tell Nick to get out of their house. We thought the acting was superb but although we were thoroughly entertained by each successive scene, we felt it didn’t quite hang together, and was trying to address too many issues at once. And again we had a play in which the leading actor (Jasper Talbot) seems to be barely out of drama school. He was superb and will go far.
LikeLike