Reviews

• JLloyd

  May 11, 2016

  I've always been a big fan of Matthew Perry, and it was interesting seeing him play an ageing alcoholic. He carried the play well, and the rest of the cast offered great support. For me, the comedy aspects worked much better than the dramatic parts, and it felt a little aimless towards the end - but was no doubt enjoyable as a whole. Solid entertainment on a good night out.

• Cherie

  May 10, 2016

  It was an enjoyable, easy to watch play but it's not one that blows you away. A few cliches in there and a bit weird that Matthew Perry's not so bright friend was called Joseph. You could see other friends characters seeping in in the other characters too. Matthew Perry was good to watch but I couldn't always tell whether he was playing drunk or sober as he was kind of shouting and looking dishevelled doing both. The other performances were all good and a few good jokes in there.

• Lorna Weller

  May 9, 2016

  We loved this play play , we were totally drawn in by the characters and their situations , I could really relate to stevie ! Such a shame that the play seemed to go by too quickly . Great drama and comedy all in one . Very good value for money .

• Gina

  May 8, 2016

  Great show, very moving. Not for the easily offended though. The characters were very relatable, lots of laugh out loud moments, as well as a few heart in mouth. Would see again.

• A-S

  May 8, 2016

  Really enjoyable. 4 people and a very well designed set. It's exactly what you would hope for. No fuss and great viewing.

• Christine

  May 8, 2016

  Great script with some laugh out loud moments. Perry plays the drunk with great insight!

• nikki

  May 7, 2016

  great actors and great plot

• Gavin McCluskey

  May 7, 2016

  Funny and entertaining throughout. Perry's performance showed how strong an Actor he really is! Go see it! Worth a watch for sure

• Natasha

  May 6, 2016

  Saw this with my husband and another couple and we all really enjoyed it. Was wary after reading some poor reviews but thinking it may be due to the swearing and possibly an age thing?? Well we are in our 40s and don't mind swearing at all so maybe that helped. Nothing too deep and meaningful, but a good story and very funny, would definitely recommend

• Marylyn, Martin, Helen and Sarah

  May 3, 2016

  Excellent right from the start. Funny, heartwarming and deep. You understand the characters right from the start and laugh along with them all the way. Well written, always kept your interest and wondering where they were heading. Good ending that puts a smile on your face and gives you that feel good factor. All four actors were fantastic and complemented each other. Well done

• Evan C

  May 1, 2016

  Like many I guess I was just interested to see Matthew Perry up close and to see what his stage acting was like compared to his on screen presence. I wasn't disappointed. Superb storyline, fabulous cast, simple but brilliant set design and fast pace all work together to make The End of Longing a theatrical delight. The only concern would be the excessive language (lots and lots of effing) which may not be to everyone's sensibilities. But it fits within the context of the story.

• mark

  Apr 29, 2016

  matthew is very clever and can do some good work in future but i would not have cast him in this role. he would have been better as the narrator walking around stage making some insightful comments and leaving the acting to more seasoned theatrical actors his voice is not holding up too well and the first act wasnt too good the second act was better and there are some very funny lines and nice ideas

• Elizabeth

  Apr 29, 2016

  Very funny! Wasn't expecting it to be so good, to be honest. Would definitely recommend seeing it before it finishes if you have the chance.

• cliff fisher

  Apr 27, 2016

  very enjoyable shame Mathew was missing but stand in very good must look up next time what show is about as I brought my 15 year old daughter with me and had no idea it was so much sex and drink involved but she loved it and we had a great evening

• Anonymous

  Apr 27, 2016

  We bought tickets to this show because we are Matthew Perry fans - to be told as we arrived that he would not be performing was a huge let down. I can see how the play would be relatable with Perry as Jack but without him, the delivery is weak - the script does not translate well to the stage. With Perry I might have enjoyed the night but without, well, I'd like my money back please!

• Elizabeth Shaikh

  Apr 23, 2016

  I was so looking forward to seeing this production, I was a bit disappointed wished it had a bit more depth. I think Mathew Perry was a bit misguided with how he played his character, all I could think of was of Jack Nicolson in As Good as it gets. It did provide an evening of entertainment though.

• Ginger Tea

  Apr 23, 2016

  Don't be put off by the bad reviews that some have given this play. It was great!! We enjoyed it so much. Very humourous in the first half, with a lot of laughs, and very true to life in the second. If you loved " Friends" and Matthew Perry, it's a must see. Even if you didn't it's well worth seeing!

• Sophia

  Apr 23, 2016

  Thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Mathew Perry was and the rest of the cast played wholly convincing characters that we could all relate to. A touching and emotional story. Loved it. Highly recommended.

• Sophie22

  Apr 22, 2016

  Absolutely loved it. Writing was awesome. Great performances from all of cast. Whole audience was laughing throughout. Have already recommended to friends.

• Stuart Ottery

  Apr 18, 2016

  Show was superb. Well written, and the acting was excellent. Matt didn't let us down, but the rest of the cast, especially Jack, were just as good

• Steph

  Apr 17, 2016

  Didn't know much about the play before seeing it but it was fab. Made me laugh out loud and feel emotional. Loved it

• MartinB

  Apr 17, 2016

  A strong cast performing an adult play not normally seen at the west end. Good performances which become very emotional in the second half - Matthew Perry is the draw and although his performance can be a bit "shouty" the overall outcome and the believability of his character grows as the show goes on. If you get chance go and see this as it won't be around for long.

• Helen

  Apr 13, 2016

  The play itself was not as I was expecting. However that isn't to say I was disappointed. The play was very deep and lead me and my friend to discuss the detail of its depth afterwards.

• Ruth

  Apr 10, 2016

  I knew it was likely to be a bit 'Chandleresque' and was fine with it being a bit silly, but I can frankly say it's the worst piece of professional theatre I have ever seen, a couple of good one liners, apart from that stereotypical characters, indulgent cringeworthy monologues (GCSE Drama style) and a plot that goes nowhere until a dramatic, blatantly medically flawed incident and then a 'happy ever after' that defies logic. Avoid, save yourselves and your wallet!

• NB

  Apr 8, 2016

  Felt like a 90s American sitcom, with a 90s sitcom actor. Matthew Perry tries very hard to re-create the role that made him famous, and unfortunately fails miserably at it. Christine Cole is probably the only saving grace.

• Tracey

  Apr 7, 2016

  Didn't know what to expect - but I was pleasantly surprised. It was very funny and I really enjoyed from start to finish. I would defiantly recommend this play.

• Nick Young

  Apr 7, 2016

  Warm, funny, witty, poignant and very enjoyable.

• Sarah laurette Harris

  Apr 7, 2016

  Thank you ! Bought tickets as a treat for my daughter and myself , both big Friends fans and it didn't disappoint , we loved it !!!

• Mrs Tracey herring

  Apr 3, 2016

  Fab, had everything in made us laugh, and was sad, but with a good ending

• jacquie

  Apr 3, 2016

  Good acting , great story , loved the chemistry between the actors. Storyline is a myriad of emotions. Matt Perry was particularly moving in the AA scene. Would highly recommend it Only slight criticism - Music is a tad loud between scenes. Would have loved the 'barman' to appear for applause at the end .

• Mex

  Apr 1, 2016

  A drunken, yelling Chandler and his dumb friend Joey meets a neurotic Monica with her friend...a prostitute. A funny series of one liners that meets and conquers the inevitable crisis that shows we all have flaws and life is about whether or not we are able to summon the courage to confront them.

• Sandra

  Apr 1, 2016

  I thought the script was well written and quite poignant, however, I thought that the delivery a lot of the time was quite shouty which was a shame as I didn't feel the right touch of emotion was always conveyed. A good performance though.

• Digby

  Apr 1, 2016

  Very good production. Well acted with no weak links

• David Painting

  Apr 1, 2016

  Well staged, lots of laughs and a serious subtext well handled. Worth seeing.

• Ms Florentine

  Mar 30, 2016

  Quite modern, a good attempt to display contemporary realism characterised by the freedom of choice and its often self-destructive consequences. One thing the play certainly does not aim to please with is the beauty of language. Simplistic, yet easy to understand. No sign of irony or criticism regarding today's vocabulary. Efficiency in the use of words shapes this realism and helps directly shout out the most common feature of our human nature - fear. The unprecedent honesty in a series of monologues at the end of the play appears perhaps the worthiest bit of th script. A view of life as inherently complex is challenged by the power of oneself to make it such. The end of longing could be interpreted as the begining of a journey towards ones self-realisation achieved through human interactions only. Love, life and a human being. Just like in reality.

• charisse

  Mar 30, 2016

  Really loved the show. Funny, sad, dramatic but really well done.

• Anita

  Mar 29, 2016

  Sound could have been better in begining. Music was loud enough during changes. Enjoyable show. Beginning was a bit slow. Better after interval.

• F Burgess

  Mar 28, 2016

  A thoroughly enjoyable well acted play by all cast members, being both funny and sad in places.

• Stuart M-D

  Mar 27, 2016

  This was pure self-indulgence by Matthew Perry. If it wasn't for his name this would never have made it to the stage. Too many scene changes in the first half made it very disjointed and actress lying motionless on a bed in the 2nd half when she was supposed to be in intensive care was bizarre. Although Matthew's character was a drunk, and a certain style of language was necessary for reality, too many 'fucks' were used.

• Donna Bentham

  Mar 27, 2016

  I didn't read any reviews before going, my only reason to go was to see Matthew Perry, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance with a deep issue but with a comedy edge and the odd glimpse of Chandler Bing funniness, I'd certainly recommend this play and we'll done Matthew

• drambo

  Mar 26, 2016

  Please be aware this event is totally unsuitable for younger viewers. It recommends suitable for 12+. We took our 13 year old daughter and 14 year old son (all Friends fans) and had to leave at the interval due to the extreme adult content, far too many cringeworthy moments as a family. Disappointing.

• Rita Beck

  Mar 25, 2016

  Very funny considering content - well acted and was great to see 'Chandler' and moved by his performance. Lazy language with use of swear word at every opportunity my only complaint.

• Susan Brady

  Mar 23, 2016

  Having read mixed reviews of this show I had an open mind. Went with two girl friends we all throughly enjoyed this play. The cast were very very good and we could all relate to the story. Would not hesitate to recommend it. Sue

• Luke Hughes

  Mar 23, 2016

  Loved The End Of Longing! Matthew Perry was sensational! Brilliant writing and acting.

• bea

  Mar 19, 2016

  if you're considering watching the end of longing you definitely should! it's amazing and i would happily watch it again, it was constantly humorous although it also brought me to tears at one point. i loved the different characters and i didn't feel disengaged or bored at any moment within the 2 hours because it was just so entertaining:)

• Freddie

  Mar 17, 2016

  He was top A star. Not at all Chandler of Friends and I was glad for that. Being a midwife, I found the delivery suite part hilarious. I bough laughed and sighed during the show and I found all the actors amazing!

• Mama Sue

  Mar 13, 2016

  The reviews weren't great but we found this very entertaining.

• Joanna

  Mar 11, 2016

  Entertaining, funny, thought-provoking and well-acted. All actors more than hold their own against Matthew Perry, so it's not a one man show. It's good to see him back doing what he does best. Well worth a viewing.

• Deb P

  Mar 11, 2016

  The End of Longing had you in tears of laughter and sadness. Well written and interesting story. The set was very clever. Loved the City Scapes and the moving sets. A cast of 4 excellent actors.

• Bontius

  Mar 6, 2016

  Very quick, 1-2 minute scenes with quite uncomplicated narratives. I guess you could have the same amount of people on anything Matthew Perry does, but the play is just really not greatly written. The acting from the others was great, Matthew Perry has a very strange, monotonic way of saying things, again, not great.