Reviews

• Eugenia

  Nov 27, 2017

  A great performance, the actors were absolutely amazing and the show as a whole was fantastic! I didn't get a few jokes because they were very politics-specific (I'm not British) but I still loved and enjoyed this show very much.

• A Posnansky

  Nov 26, 2017

  Am a huge fan of this playwright , This House and Ink are absolute triumphs and I would happily see the, again. Labour of Love was a tad disappointing by comparison, indeed laboured in parts , romantic ending somewhat trite and MPs wife was too cartoonish. Overall a slightly soppy apology for the Labour Party.

• J Mikus

  Nov 24, 2017

  Martin and Tasmin were engaging from Jean's first line to Martin's last. Run to get tickets

• Northerner

  Nov 24, 2017

  Fantastic performances all round, especially from Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig. Script is spot on too. Absolutely brilliant.

• Mollie

  Nov 23, 2017

  Polished performances, and great set changes, but more lightweight and less clever than I have come to expect from this playwright.

• Michael Humphreys

  Nov 23, 2017

  I was blown away by this theatrical experience. The best play I’ve seen in the last 20 years. Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig were just astounding - passionate, serious and comic - just fantastic!!

• AndyH

  Nov 23, 2017

  Witty, entertaining & very cleverly done. Well worth seeing, a fantastic night out!

• Daffodil

  Nov 23, 2017

  Loved this play, it is full of wit and rattles along, at the same time asking -and sometimes answering - huge questions about politics and in particular who is the Labour Party for.

• Janet

  Nov 23, 2017

  I hugely enjoyed this play, although as a Labour supporter, some of it was hard to watch.

• Wade Nelson

  Nov 22, 2017

  Absolutely wonderful. We are from the United States and did not recognize all the people mentioned in the play but enjoyed all of the performance. The actress, Tamsin Greig, was fabulous and Martin Freeman is always delightful. We did learn some about the politics here in London. The play was entertaining and we laughed out loud several times. Thank you.

• PennyB

  Nov 18, 2017

  Funny, brilliant comic timing, clever writing, Tamzin and Martin hilarious pairing. Uncomfortable reality check if you are socialist!

• Hythewalker

  Nov 18, 2017

  An excellent, thought provoking play brilliantly acted and directed. The history of the post-war Labour movement explored with its ups and downs was portrayed through the prism of its supporters - and with a love story to boot. What more could one ask for?

• Andy

  Nov 18, 2017

  Excellent acting, pungent dialogue and breathtakingly fast scene changes. Politics merely the background, not the topic. The characters not really intersting or complex, more of the sitcom variety.

• Gel

  Nov 16, 2017

  Exceeded expectations. Excellent production

• Chrissie Calvert

  Nov 16, 2017

  This is a real must-see, performances and production are hugely engaging

• Anonymous

  Nov 16, 2017

  The poor quality sound at the rear of the stalls meant that despite the amplification headphones we couldn't hear well ad missed a great deal of the dialogue. Some of the content was rather clichéd though other parts were excellent

• Tony Gow

  Nov 16, 2017

  Two great performances wrapped up in a very clever,amusing blanket of a play. Worth the ticket price.

• Mrs PARead

  Nov 16, 2017

  We booked to see Sarah but this did not disappoint

• Nav

  Nov 16, 2017

  Best and funniest play I have seen for years.

• AP Devoy

  Nov 16, 2017

  Excellent production Very enjoyable evening in every way.A

• Mike Haddrell

  Nov 14, 2017

  This exceeded expectations for me. After a slow start, when it seemed to have some of the qualities of a TV sitcom, it really got going, especially after the break when the events, portrayed in reverse in the first half, were revisited in chronological order. Some wonderful comic writing, well delivered and above all a moving and compelling call for progressive unity as David and Jean embraced in their love of Labour. Great use of film footage too, especially in the juxtaposition of Blair and Corbyn's strikingly similar appeals for unity. Can I be a Blairbynista? Just don't call me Centrist dad.

• Susan

  Nov 14, 2017

  Excellent show really enjoyed it . Marvellous cast but Tamsin Greig was outstanding .

• Martin Sachs

  Nov 8, 2017

  Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig absolutely stellar. Supported by a great cast. As a life long Labour Party member I had a certain interest in seeing this play, as well as a lot of insider knowledge. Great to see a political play that focuses on politics at the community level. One obvious error- in the 1994 leadership election party members had their own vote in the electoral college- so CLPs didn't attempt to pressure MPs to vote for any particular candidate. But I think the play found the right conclusion- that those who bridge the gap between "principled" and "practical" politics are the future of the party.

• Chris

  Nov 7, 2017

  A great play, wonderfully acted in an intimate setting. An excellent night out

• Pippa

  Nov 7, 2017

  With moments of sitcom and pure farce, this was a thoroughly enjoyable insight into labour's history and the tensions between local and central government. Tamsin and Martin were both (as expected) side splittingly funny. Tamsin Grieg, however, unequivocally stole the show.

• Tony Potter

  Nov 7, 2017

  This was not for us and across generations. We were surprised as James Graham has such a strong reputation. The play was full of stereotypes, appalling jokes, slapstick that did not deliver and foul repetitive language which assisted in ruining the script. The subject matter was over familiar and therefor boring adding nothing to existing knowledge. Martin Freeman, who is a good actor, is completely miss cast and presents like a member of the Secret Seven. Tamsin Greig was brilliant in a role which was so over the top not to be credible. Near miss for Sarah Lancashire. Pity, as there is so much fine theatre at present in the West End . The audience reaction was very mixed and seemed confused. Can't remember when we last did not stay for the second half but enough was enough.

• Alison

  Nov 2, 2017

  brilliant play, well written, well directed, well acted

• Michael

  Nov 1, 2017

  Disappointing, after reading positive reviews. An engaging topic and story, but too much shouting (which people don't normally do in the Labour party), and silly slapstick repartee which detracted from what could have been a serious story

• Lauren

  Nov 1, 2017

  One of the most enjoyable evenings of theatre I can remember. Brilliant script with a cast to match.

• Kirstie

  Nov 1, 2017

  This play is hysterical, excellently written and acted, and brilliant value for money. It should be noted that the play starts at the night of the GE 2017 Count, when MP David Lyons is about to lose his seat of 27 years. It then moves backwards with every scene through each past election. During scene changes, we are played footage of previous leaders of the Labour party entering and leaving office, which really adds something to the mix. We're reminded of some interesting and tense times throughout history at these points as Thatcher makes a few appearances too. The set is his constituency office and every little detail is spot on, even the way the leaflets are slumped against the cabinet. And the little details - in how his office changes through the years/decades...it's just so simple but so brilliant. The acting is great. I have worked in many parliamentary constituency offices and so has my friend who went to the play with me...and we felt that Lyons and Whittaker are an amalgamation of absolutely everybody we've ever encountered. They really manage to straddle the "parachuted MP who cares about the constituents" line well and they manage to show the nuances and power struggles within the local district Council. "She wants to deselect me!" - Lyons squeals, as the vivacious Deputy Leader of the Council pops out to the kitchen. It's all so ironic but so true! The second half of the play gathers more steam and more traction. The actors are excellent at creating tension on stage and Jean and David's dancing is absolutely brilliant. Make sure you keep an eye out for Martin's dance routine that he does with a dead pan face - really cracked us up. And the 'Cheryl' bashing. Definitely see this play, it's excellent. A** for writing, A** for the acting, A** for the set design... was excellent!

• Evelyn

  Oct 31, 2017

  Acute analysis of the History of Labour up until the 2017 National Election. Ans very very funny. Great performances great production.

• Susan Leslie

  Oct 31, 2017

  Brilliant fun. Terrific play and top performances.

• Louise Garrard

  Oct 31, 2017

  Martin Freeman and Tamsin Grieg did a fabulous job with this play the amount they had to learn and remember was outstanding and the play was funny and entertaining.

• Phil from Australia

  Oct 24, 2017

  Stunning script & outstanding cast, especially the two lead actors. Loved it!!

• JO

  Oct 18, 2017

  Very funny, politically reminiscent and Martin and Tamsin were in synergy.

• Jackie O'Brien

  Oct 17, 2017

  Amazing acting and very comical!

• Jon from London

  Oct 17, 2017

  Stimulating and provocative theatre at its best. Brilliant acting with superb scene shifting. Those of us old enough to remember so much were hugely entertained and those whose memories might be more recent were challenged by the history....all with a deeply human element. Both leads were brilliant!

• A Scottish visitor.

  Oct 11, 2017

  Great show. The two main characters brought a great script to life, in an amusing way , showing real insight into the struggle the Labour Party has had politically over the last few decades. Lots of great one liners.

• Towanda

  Oct 6, 2017

  I loved this play..sharp, witty, funny, political...a milieu I grew up with...will heartily recommend to all whether Labour, Tory or other. excellent script, great casting, marvellous acting particularly from the main characters

• PD

  Oct 6, 2017

  Really enjoyed this. The writing, acting etc. all spot on and a good mix of serious stuff and laughs.

• RS

  Oct 3, 2017

  For those of us of a certain age - this show is an hilarious history of the Labour party. It is well written and superbly performed. Younger audiences may struggle understanding the first Act, not knowing the personalities from the political era.