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 
Indian Ink
This play will go into my top ten. I was engaged and transported from the beginning, everything I expect from an evening at the theatre.
I particularly enjoyed Felicity Kendal’s performance and that of Gavi Singh.
Thank you to Mike and Fredo for helping to cheer up January and stir the brain cells,, and well done to Bill for circumnavigating the diversion on our return journey.
LikeLike
Indian Ink
This felt more of a discussion than a drama although I enjoyed it. When I read in the programme than it was originally a radio play (though Stoppard altered the text for the stage) that seemed to go some way to explaining my reservations. The set was excellent and the acting too but for me there was a lack of intensity or emotion in the actual drama.
LikeLike
Indian Ink
Indian Ink proved to be the jewel in the crown last night. The acting was superb together with the choreography of the play helping to transport us back in time to a Colonial India.
I first saw Felicity Kendal in Noises Off back in the 1980’s and she still retains that special star quality.
Thank you Fredo and Mike for such good seats again.
LikeLike
Indian Ink
I did not realise that Indian Ink started life as a radio play. I also saw the script on sale with the programmes. I mention this because mainly due to my falult not getting a hearing devise, I found difficulty following every nuance of this play. The set was a feast for the eyes full of flowers and a typical Indian bungalow. (The latter wobbled a bit worrying after a scene change. )But as I mentioned the words are the thing in a Stoppard play and I regret my limitations here. However at times I think the action was a little laboured particularly in the second half. Both actresses have received great praise but my real favourite was the Indian artist played by Singh Chera. Of all the characters I really empathised with him. To be brought to the theatre in the gloom of January is to give thanks to Fredo and Mike and to our driver.
LikeLike
Indian Ink
The car-collecting rajah had more pearls on his chest than you’d find in the average oyster bed and that rather spoke for both the play and the production. It twinkled and glinted beautifully – full of rich gems – the whole Stoppardian parade – literary jokes, side-ways cultural references, imperfect sources of information, unfinished paintings, hesitant relationships, even tea and cake in the garden – you name it. That indirectness worked well in making us think about the nature of British presence in India (and what being out of it carries with it) and about human connections more widely. This wasn’t a head-on excoriation of the colonial experience, but something more nuanced, uneasy and uncertain, a probing of identity, cross-cultural assumptions and attitudes. Flora’s mention of E.M.Forster’s novel where unknowing abounds was perhaps unavoidable. Indeed, the eager-beaver would-be biographer of Flora (the well of Bloomsbury was and still is far from dry) blundering around gave us another recognisable layer of imperfect exploration.
Stoppard treads delicately over sensitive terrain. And I guess he is always careful to balance out prejudices and stereotypes, even when Eleanor seems just about to say something dreadful (Felicity Kendal was on commanding form). Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (Flora) and Gavi Singh Chera (Nirad Das) were very impressive together. Other cast members offered us a string of convincing enjoyable vignettes. Somehow the flexible set (we will forget the momentary wobble) seemed to fit the feel of the play (slightly old-fashioned in form for all the momentary “full-frontal nudity”) and effective use was made of the auditorium. All in all, a very satisfying evening – no wonder the run has been extended.
Garth
LikeLike
Indian Ink.
The play was dedicated to Laura Kendal, Felicity Kendal’s mother. Tom Stoppard had seen Felicity Kendal in a film ‘Shakespeare Wallah’ and Tom Stoppard said ” I’m going to write this play for you in which you go back to India. Seems Tom Stoppard and family ( not his father, sadly he was killed) were going on a ship to Australia but landed up in Bombay? Her father was a travelling actor in India and had his own company. The programme is one of the most informative of programmes, hence getting the details from it.
I have the actual script and programme of thirty years and Felicity Kendal was playing Flora Crewe. I loved the play then and again last night. I came here from India when five years old hence loving the country!
We both thoroughly enjoyed everything about the play the play and the clever staging.
It was an absolute bonus being in the front row so thank you Fredo and Mike for giving us the treat.
Also Bill for driving us there and back in such good time.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the skill of the actors and the ease of moving through the generations
exemplified by those significant historical events. The snippets of poetry added more fun for me as I knew them. The apparently simple Indian era set cleverly moved about.
I really loved the play. Thank you Fredo for replacing my tickets and pleased to see Mike there also.
LikeLike
Indian Ink
John unable to join us tonight so my thoughts
Found this play difficult to engage with . Although the acting good I found that it was like a history discussion on the Raj period in India with some additional spice. Although after the set time of the play ,I wonder if Viceroy Lord Mountbatten’s wife Edwina ,who reportedly had many affairs was the inspiration for Tom Stoppard.
However always an enjoyable evening out
Thank you Fredo and Mike also Bill for super journeys to and from the theatre .
LikeLike
INDIAN INK
I hope everyone enjoyed this play as much as I did. It was a very detailed production by Jonathan Kent, with one detail that I want to draw to your attention: Eleanor (Felicity Kendall) keeps Flora’s letters in a Bata shoe-box. Why is this significant? See below! Fredo
“Stoppard was born Tomáš Sträussler[10] in Zlín, Czechoslovakia (present day Czech Republic). He was the younger son of Martha Becková and Eugen Sträussler,[10] a doctor employed by the Bata shoe company. His parents were non-observant Jews.[11] Just before the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the town’s patron, Jan Antonín Baťa, transferred his Jewish employees, mostly physicians, to branches of his firm outside Europe.[12][11] On 15 March 1939, the day the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia, the Sträussler family fled to Singapore, where Bata had a factory.” From Wikipedia
LikeLike
Top Hat
An enjoyable evening even if not the most vibrant production, although I think this was, in part, due to the fact we struggled to see much of the stage during the first half. Thank you Fredo for swapping seats with Frances and I as it made a huge difference to be able see the feet tapping on the stage.
Good to hear familiar tunes, in fact I’ve been putting all my eggs in one basket ever since Wednesday. It won’t leave me!
Thank you on so many levels.
LikeLike
TOP HAT
An enjoyable evening, the ‘hoofing’ and clattering tap dancing was exhilarating and hilarious with the dancers randomly sweeping onstage for thei next dance, and we enjoyed the older couple a lot, great energy and character, old school know-how. Rather lack-lustre from the 2 young leads – The actor playing Jerry was the understudy we understand, and really not good enough. We thought Amara Okereke and he lacked a shared chemistry. Art is always an experiment! Another Sally
LikeLike
TOP HAT
For me, light and fun with an impressive understudy as Jerry, I hope it gets him noticed. A perfect way to begin the New Year snd escape the woes of the world for an evening.
Equally impressive was Fredo’s shepherding to and from the theatre. Hugely appreciated.
LikeLike
TOP HAT
“Top Hat at the Queen Elizabeth Hall was a most enjoyable evening. I hadn’t realised until later that “Jerry” was played by an understudy, which perhaps explained some early nervousness — quickly and impressively overcome. The set was elegant and attractive, though it did create a rather smaller stage, which at times felt restrictive for the dancers. That said, the performance as a whole was hugely entertaining
Overall a most enjoyable performance (although the seating in the Hall was sadly not quite as enjoyable!). Sally
Thank you Fredo and Mike for yet another great evening in London”
LikeLike
Top Hat
Fabulous score, tap dancing and gorgeous costumes add up to a feel good evening. Madge and Horace were brilliantly portrayed. A lovely start to 2026 theatre trips. Thank you for organising and looking after us so well Fredo.
LikeLike
Top Hat.
We enjoyed the show, especially Robin. Hadn’t realised there was an understudy, so well done.
Thank you Fredo for your care and attention for making sure we knew how to get to the theatre and then getting help to be guided back to the coach. You are a star.
No Mike? Missed him.
LikeLike
Top Hat
Enjoyed this production and felt the male lead acquitted himself very well as must have been nervous as an understudy. I thought the scenery was good but at times the space on stage was challenging for the dancers. Thank you Fredo for being so supportive to all of us.
LikeLike
TOP HAT
I enjoyed the evening but felt the set although attractive, functional and a good representation of the era didn’t really feel like a London set but one which has been designed for a tour. It just seemed too small when all the players were on stage. I also thought the chorus voices could have been stronger and better used.
The songs are good and carried the show, not our best experience but still an enjoyable evening. Looking forward to seeing you again in the future.
Tony
LikeLike
TOP HAT
We were at Top Hat last night and absolutely loved it!
Jenny
LikeLike
Top Hat
A wonderful start to 2026 in a great venue by the Thames. We thought Madge and Horace made our evening and Terry has to admit that he’s more like Horace than Fred Astaire!
Thanks Fredo for being the perfect Chaperone.
Patricia and Terry
LikeLike
I hadn’t realised that. So in that case top hats off to him!
LikeLiked by 1 person