The Starry Messenger
The Starry Messenger
In the vastness of the universe are we all just lonely souls under the same night sky? Hollywood star and multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Matthew Broderick makes his West End debut in The Starry Messenger by Kenneth Lonergan, Academy Award-winning writer of Manchester By The Sea.
Mark Williams is lost. An astronomer at New York City’s Planetarium, he feels a closer connection to the infinite, starry sky than to his job or even to his wife, Anne. Mark doesn’t believe in fate or divine intervention, but the universe has other ideas. After a chance meeting with Angela, a young single mother, Mark feels starry-eyed. But when a catastrophic event rips through their lives, Mark is forced to re-evaluate his life, his faith and his place in the universe itself.
Starring Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Mel Brooks’ The Producers), and Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey, The Handmaid’s Tale), this bittersweet, comic drama is an unblinking exploration of love, hope and understanding our place in the universe, by one of the most celebrated writers working today.
“Breathtaking” Time Out
“The Starry Messenger establishes Mr. Lonergan as a possessor of all the crucial parts of a good dramatist’s anatomy: a critical mind, an empathetic heart and a musical ear that hears whole lives in sentences.” New York Times
- Booking Information
Captioned performance: 16th July 2019 at 7:30PM
- Duration
2 hours 30 minutes approx (including interval)
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No exchanges or refunds available after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email. Please print the confirmation email and bring it along with some photo ID to the box office at the theatre. We recommend you allow 30-40 minutes to collect your tickets and settle into your seats
- Suitable For Children
Recommended for ages 12 years +
- Where Do I Go
Wyndhams Theatre
Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA
Take an immediate left down Duncannon Street and then turn right up St Martins Place. Continue past the Garrick Theatre as the road turns into Charing Cross Road. The theatre is next to Leicester Square tube station.
Reviews
Renee
Aug 8, 2019
One of the worst plays I've ever seen. I have no idea how it was ever made, or how anyone reading the script would want to take part. Actors tripped over each other's words, very long pauses where you felt someone had forgotten their lines. Often I couldn't hear Me McGovern, her voice did not projects and I wss only in row N. Simply dreadful and at nearly £70 per ticket, I feel like I've been robbed.
Lucy Robson
Aug 6, 2019
The cast were fantastic in this interesting play. Funny moments derived from the differences between people. I had forgotten how beautiful Wyndhams is. Lovely to see Mathew Broderick in the West End but he was well matched by the brilliant Rosalind Eleazar; and of course Elizabeth Mc Govern who is always fabulous. The rest of the cast were great too.
Susie O
Jul 30, 2019
We loved this play and each and every member of the cast led by the wonderful Matthew Broderick were amazing. See this play before it disappears!
Michael W.
Jul 28, 2019
It was so good! A powerfully funny and sad story about life, love, lust and the continuous journey to find a deeper meaning in the Universe ❤
Lynn Mathers
Jul 27, 2019
Dear Sarah Further to my email earlier this week, expressing some concerns that I had regarding some reviews of “The Starry Messenger” - I just thought I would email to say how pleased we were that we decided to come to the performance of “The Starry Messenger” tonight. We were entranced from the very beginning. We laughed, we cried, we were inspired. The play is compassionate, raw in its realism- it addresses issues sensitively, but squarely, which gives it sometimes a sad tone, sometimes a joyous tone. Such an incredible cast who clearly deliver their performances with great passion and dedication. We were grateful too, for the time that the cast spent with us at the Stage Door. Hopefully we didn’t take up too much of their time but we felt we needed to express our gratitude for their superb performances which genuinely resonated with us. Our thanks too, to your staff who provided a great service to us tonight: they were friendly and informative. Our very best wishes, Lynn and Hannah Mathers x Sent from my iPhone
N. Alborno
Jul 24, 2019
It is a thought-provoking show. However, it seemed slow and predictable in some instances.
Michael
Jul 15, 2019
Excellent show and cast especially Mathew Brodorick.... Kept me interested all the time
Sarah Pearce
Jul 14, 2019
What a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this play! There were moments I laughed out loud and then moments I had tears rolling down my cheeks. The actors were amazing... played their characters perfectly. Wasn’t expecting the catastrophic event that happened (as they put it in the write up) to be what it was. I came out of the theatre trying not to burst into tears. I really enjoyed the performance and would recommend going to see it.
C.M.S
Jul 14, 2019
We were very much looking forward to seeing the Starry Messenger, especially knowing that the two main people were definitely some of our favourites! We found it too long drawn out and the dialogue was also partly too long winded and not at all interesting. On a person note, we were not enthusiastic about the whole play and found it even depressingly sad, as it didn't even end up beat or throughout the play have lightening moments. ( except when the student gave him the rating) A great pity, as we had high hopes. I nevertheless wish the play, the cast and everyone else a wonderful running and still endless great reviews to come. With best wishes for the further weeks to come with the Starry Messenger
Helen
Jul 13, 2019
Beautiful play and great performances.
Victoria
Jun 30, 2019
Was pleasantly surprised to find some very funny scenes amongst the serious (but realistic) themes in the play. Acting was superb.
Dorota
Jun 26, 2019
It was a great presentation of person stage in middle life. Matthew Broderick with such bored and neutral emotion shows dilemma of middle age issues and temptations. Very great performance as always can be presented by such a lucky charm of artistic industry. Elizabeth McGovern represents women who run the family trying include the other half too. Rosalind Eleazar shows emotions of every young women who tries to do something better with their life. Great show !!!!
Kim
Jun 23, 2019
I saw the matinee performance of The Starry Messenger on Saturday 15 June 2019 and thought it was excellent. Funny, absorbing and subtly acted, not just by the principal actors Elizabeth McGovern and Matthew Broderick, but all of the cast. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Review from 907
Jun 22, 2019
I liked the jokes but fell asleep twice.
Mixed Review
Jun 21, 2019
Rather a long play and very slow during the first half. However it held my attention and the second half was more enjoyable. It is worth seeing.
Ramone of Ilford
Jun 20, 2019
Don't expect fireworks from this play but do expect a witty subtle interesting show that explores middle aged relationships, passion and grief. We loved it.
FKB
Jun 19, 2019
I couldn't tell if Matthew Broderick, in the lead role, brought no character to the role, or whether he was totally immersed in the characterization of a lost soul. The only characters of interest were secondary, the elderly patient and his daughter. The sets were well done.
Stacee
Jun 15, 2019
Good performances. Need patience as it isn’t fast moving as is the subject matter but worth it, just enjoy the play.
Barb
Jun 15, 2019
A adept performance by Broderick, showing the sadness and humour of a seemingly settled man needing more.
Peter P
Jun 14, 2019
First half very slow,struggled to stay awake second half some improvement
Susan Swift
Jun 13, 2019
Such star pulling power, so very disappointed with the script! Everyone tried so hard to deliver but the plot was very slow & disjointed.
Joe
Jun 11, 2019
Having been told of the negative response from a lot of reviews for this, I was slightly trepidatious as me and my friends (or should that be my friends and I? - you'll have to watch the play to get the joke) took to our seats last night. However for such a lengthy play, I don't think the time has ever gone by so seemlessly and at the interval my two friends and I breathed large sighs of relief, not because it was the interval, but because we could talk about how fantastic the show was, even just after the first act. Admittedly, some of the acting was in and out - at points it was difficult to tell whether Broderick's bumbling was his character or whether he was stumbling over lines and equally McGovern's gratingly whingey wife was unconvincing for the majority of the play. However, it is easy to forgive all this when the sheer amount of warmth and commitment is clearly apparent from the entire cast. Creating the right relationship between performers and audience can be challenging, but last night I felt so connected to what was happening on stage that I don't think I have ever laughed so consistently throughout a show. There were several moments where I also had to wipe tears away from my eyes. It is not often that I have a burning desire to watch a play again, however The Starry Messenger would certainly be one of them. Despite the minor criticisms, it achieved what I feel a great performance should achieve - moments of laughter, moments of sadness, but above all ending with an audience that leaves the theatre with a warm and fuzzy feeling of being happy and grateful for being alive.
Marius Vermeulen
Jun 9, 2019
Good story Matthew is a star nothing new there Elizabeth needs to project hear voice better as a lot of dialogue is lost Not sure story deserves 3 hours but not sorry i went
S Karia
Jun 6, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this play! The dialogue is so good- you can relate to the different characters and various human characteristics are brought alive in a very clever way. The humour is good and certain life events covered really tug at the heart-strings
Susan
Jun 6, 2019
Moving, and humorous play. Had seen reviews that the ending did not tie up the ends, but life is not like that. Superbly captured the challenges uncertainties of life. Great acting and well worth seeing.
Asterios
Jun 6, 2019
Everyone is wonderful and the play by it self is amazing.
Nomi
Jun 5, 2019
While the play was good-i liked the acting and the set design, i was uninterested in the main character, which destroyed my caring for the outcome. I found his character a “shlemezel”-and a bit nasty and self centered as well as uninspired. (Until the last monologue-but by then it was too late and also he doesn't live up to that)
Piru
Jun 3, 2019
Enjoyed the play! best cast!
Muxxy
Jun 2, 2019
An easy watch. Excellent sets which rotate regularly and keep you engaged the whole way through. Not mind-blowing, but consistently good and very enjoyable.
Patrick Dee
Jun 2, 2019
The show was great, how can Matthew Broderick remember so much, he had a lovely monolog in the second half in the class room where you could hear a pin drop , amazing acting from the whole cast including Lady Cora , great show .
Sandy
May 31, 2019
The play was a bit dull, but definitely worth seeing Mathew Broderick he was great!
Pearse
May 29, 2019
I had travelled from abroad to enjoy London and to see this play. In short, I felt so underwhelmed with the production and acting that I left at the interval. The play felt extremely slow and struggled to keep my attention. While it managed to entice some laughter with the odd injection of a one-liner or two (Jim Norton was excellent) and indeed at times succeeded in making me feel uncomfortable in my seat, I felt that overall the number of overly overly dull moments outweighed the enjoyable ones. The dialogue was excessively wordy, to the point where I wondered at times if Mr Broderick and others had forgotten their lines and had gone on some sort of ramble in the hopes of jogging their memories. Perhaps the second half was better. Others will know the answer to that. I did not stay to find out. A very disappointing first visit to this theatre.
Fiona
May 26, 2019
I’m afraid I was bored to distraction and left at the interval. If this man was having a mid life crisis, I really didn’t care. He might have come alive in the second act, but by that time he’d put me to sleep. Elizabeth McGovern needs to project her voice. She wasn’t reaching up to the Grand Circle. A curiously old fashioned production, but maybe that was part of the point.
Betty & Joel Bechtel
May 26, 2019
We thoroughly enjoyed The Starry Messenger. Matthew Broderick is one of our favorite actors and did not disappoint! Every character in the play seemed real and relatable. Strong performances by all.
cebepe
May 26, 2019
The play is staged and performed as well as this play can be. The play is a B perhaps B+, but still fun to see. Great to see this song-and-dance big screen movie star play a dull role on stage and he plays it well. Elizabeth McGovern also interesting, but Rosalind Eleazar has the most interesting role which she plays very well. Worth going to.
Charm
May 25, 2019
I dont know what I expected but 3 hours seemed too long for the subject and dialogues. Quite slow in parts and some characters seemed unnecessary. Some surprises which kept it interesting and moving. I felt it was a bit laboured although the acting itself was good. Comfortable theatre and stalls were fine.
Theatre lover
May 25, 2019
Great acting especially Matthew Broderick but the whole cast very strong The early scenes with Angela and Mark captures their feeling of awkwardness so well At times there was too much ‘star talk’ but overall very enjoyable and thought provoking
Theatrefiend
May 25, 2019
Thought provoking, strong performances particularly from Rosalind Eleazar
Cella
May 23, 2019
Very unusual style of play. Bit too ponderous in many parts and one for the nerds we felt. Definitely too long - edit pen required. Did enjoy though.
Thom O'Dwyer
May 22, 2019
The worst and most tedious evening at the theatre I have EVER spent. The play was boring, banal and just bad, bad, BAD. A word-weary play that purports to open up complex issues but ends up going nowhere. Midlife crisis, worn-out marriage, Roman Catholic inborn guilt? All shopworn, played-out, old hat, clichéd issues that have been examined ad nauseum in both theatre and film. Even Matthew Broderick - who is a fine actor; you can't actually tell that he is acting - couldn't save this dud. The play is wordy and mind-numbingly longwinded. Also, I have never in my theatre-going life seen such bad costume design! Is Chiara Stevenson colour blind? Has she no sense of style or period fashion? I have never seen such a mad mixture of hideous mismatched colours. Also, has she never heard of the theatrical turn of phrase 'breaking down'? That is, making something brand-new look time-worn and used. Obviously not, because Mark's briefcase - which he would have probably been carrying to and from the planetarium for years and it would have showed - looked like it had just come straight out of Bloomingdales men's wear department! Ditto Arnold's attaché case and all the ladies' handbags, especially Angela's brand spanking new high-gloss tan leather bucket bag. These were not REAL clothes worn by REAL people. Overall I would say that this is a dud play and an equally dud production. It's only draw is the star-studded cast! A shame they didn't get Miriam Margolyes to play Mrs Pysner! Now that really would have been a starry, starry cast!!
KFarrant
May 20, 2019
The story was ok but too slow with too much unnecessary and boring dialogue. It felt as though the play never got going. The interval was 90 minutes in. The set looked good with nice use of lighting, but sound was an issue for us as the voices didn’t carry very well for some of the actresses. Would not really recommend.
tim smith
May 19, 2019
I think forgetting lines is probably a reflection of the entertainment value of the show. some really good parts, but spoilt by some really dull scenes. good potential, but really lacklustre. Matthew's final monologue was so long and had absolutely no purpose, highlights or finale. quite disappointing!
JL
May 19, 2019
A wonderful play, it keeps your interest throughout the course of the 3 hours, with a roller coaster of emotions. The characters were all very believable. Highly recommend it. Well worth the journey down to London.
Hansen
May 19, 2019
Great play. Fine performances bt the whole cast. Thoroughly enjoyable night. Matthew Broderick is a welcome addition to the London Theatre Scene.
Louis Max
May 18, 2019
The show started abruptly in the classroom with Broderick holding court, the story, though slow to hold my attention, eventually was captivating and brought a nice sense of satisfaction at the end. Would highly recommend for any theatre goers in the area. Though tickets may be sold out online, if you show up at the door there are often people selling them outside. Cheers!
Louis Max
May 18, 2019
The show started abruptly in the classroom with Broderick holding court, the story, though slow to hold my attention, eventually was captivating and brought a nice sense of satisfaction at the end. Would highly recommend for any theatre goers in the area. Though tickets may be sold out online, if you show up at the door there are often people selling them outside. Cheers!