Reviews

• Eugenia

  May 14, 2018

  It's not the lightest play, but even coming from a tiring day it was still very entertaining and captivating. I came for Jeremy Irons but stayed for Lesley Manville, who was absolutely spectacular. The scenery was probably the best I have ever seen, truly stunning. A beautiful, touching and strong play.

• Avid theatre-goer

  Apr 10, 2018

  The acting in total was first class. Having travelled especially to see this some 150 miles, we were not dissapointed. Our only mis-giving was that at 3 hours it was a tad too long.

• Ann

  Apr 8, 2018

  The play was certainly interesting, and the acting was excellent, but it was way too long and this detracted from the enjoyment. There were certain sections that seemed to overplay the plot. I think it would have been much better at about an hour shorter.

• Elsa Annushka

  Apr 8, 2018

  The cast, the stage set up, the story, the costumes .... absolutely brilliant! Stunning performance from all the cast; it was a real pleasure to see Jeremy Iron on stage which was a first time for me. Lesley Manville was amazing in her role of a mother addicted to morfine, a real joy to watch her in such a demanding role.

• Nily

  Apr 7, 2018

  Very well acted, but an hour too long and was dragging at the end.

• Jayant Chavda

  Apr 7, 2018

  The play was overwrought and at least 45 minutes too long. The repetitive nature of the dialogue - though understandable from a dramatic viewpoint - became tiresome. I admired both Jeremy Irons and Lesley Manville's performances but I felt no empathy with their characters. It was an intense but, ultimately, unsatisfying play.

• Theatre fan

  Apr 7, 2018

  I thought they were all great actors. A bit disappointed with the length of the show !! Long very long

• Vivienne

  Apr 6, 2018

  All five actors in Long Day's Journey into Night were amazing. . . the play is long and quite draining but still focuses on issues that are relevant today. Jeremy Irons is particularly impressive giving the impression that he is not acting at all. Great production.

• Tim

  Apr 6, 2018

  Excellent production , faultless cast

• Evelina

  Apr 5, 2018

  Superb performances all around, Lesley Manville is absolutely amazing. Set is gorgeous and atmospheric. The play is depressing, but I guess that's a given

• Peter Tonkin

  Apr 5, 2018

  Having studied O'Neill's plays as part of my first degree I was astounded by the lightness of touch this wonderful cast brought to a deeply moving domestic tragedy. Set as it is on a brilliantly conceived and dressed acting space. O'Neill is careful to give every character a chance to explain behaviours and attitudes that seem so deeply negative at first glance, but the cast took full advantage of these self-revelatory moments to deepen our understanding and sympathy. An utterly wonderful experience that made three and a half hours fly by in a breathless instant. Such a pity there is so little time left for others to experience this wonderful production.

• Valerie Walford

  Apr 5, 2018

  Lesley Manville gave a stunning performance in this finely staged production and Jeremy Irons offered a crafted and nuanced interpretation of his role. He never disappoints. The play is long and I would cut in to it even more severely ; the lengthy scene between the two brothers at the end detracts from the final pathos without developing their characters significantly. Nonetheless I am very glad I saw this production.

• Dr R.W. Taylor

  Apr 5, 2018

  Having read the reviews, I was really looking forward to seeing O'Neill's interpretation of a highly dysfunctional family ravaged by drugs and alcohol, Unfortunately, I was deeply disappointed with what I was presented with. Having grown up in a similar family environment, I was hoping to gain different perspectives on what happened to me through the lives of the protagonists. All I got was frustration & disappointment during the seemingly endless 2nd act where Irons and his 2 onstage sons wallowed in a sea of heartless drunkenness & self pity. Only Manville's performance rung true to any degree. This play was must be as utterly emotionally draining for the actors to perform as it is for the audience to endure. Perhaps at the beginning of the run, when the actors were fresh, they were able to give a performance which allowed the audience to empathise & relate to the onstage family I could go on to dissect what I feel could and should have been changed in the performance and the play itself, but to what effect or potential gain?

• Ros

  Apr 5, 2018

  Excellent production for a great, although quite harrowing play. Manville and Irons in particular were very good.

• Catherine

  Apr 5, 2018

  Though apparently he hates the west end jezza irons was powerful in the role of James Tyrone.Lesley Manville too.cud have cut some of the last scene though.

• Pen

  Apr 4, 2018

  Amazing production all round, sadly finishes on Saturday but if you can do try to see it before it closes.

• lorbe

  Apr 2, 2018

  The dialogues were interesting and deep, but at times the play felt a bit too long

• Slingshot art

  Apr 2, 2018

  I was delighted to see Jeremy Irons but I couldn't see an American accent tho. Leslie Manville takes all the credit for her acting roll. Found the piece were autobiographical.

• S Tobias

  Apr 1, 2018

  Excellent performance of a very lengthy play. The high emotion of the drama must be exhausting to act out later on again.

• Corky

  Mar 31, 2018

  Outstanding performances and amazing set. I had never seen this play before - am still processing it and this incredible production. I am very glad I chose this particular production to see the play. Everyone involved brought so much to such a challenging play.

• Jon of St Albans

  Mar 30, 2018

  The performance of James and Mary (the parents) are outstanding played and hauntingly mesmerising from the start. The production would benefit from a lengthy cut in the scene between the two brothers towards the end, a scene which adds little to the central theme of this sadly dysfunctional family, and is, in any case, largely unintelligible. Quite a serious misjudgment in direction, of an otherwise excellent production. It detracts from the mother's final appearance and means the production does not finish until 11 pm with a 2 hour second half. No gain, some unnecessary pain.

• Fatima

  Mar 30, 2018

  My company was rather spent by the end, on account of the length. I could sit through it, as a theatre lover but any guests may not be comfortable by the end. But other than that, brilliant! We knew we had seen something unmissable and great.

• Gloria Mundi

  Mar 30, 2018

  If you want to see acting, go see 'Long Day's Journey into Night.' If you want to see good theatre, go see 'Girl from The North.'

• Vesna

  Mar 29, 2018

  Excellent acting

• Scottie

  Mar 29, 2018

  The play kept you on the edge of your seat all the way through as you did not know what was coming next or how it would end. There were some beautiful and poetic lines. Drawback, it was a bit long. It was a treat to see Jeremy Irons on the stage, but supporting actors were just as good.

• Tricia

  Mar 28, 2018

  We thought this was excellent, all roles really well played. Can't think how they can do this every night! Pretty depressing stuff but it makes you appreciate your own imperfect relationships!

• Tricia

  Mar 28, 2018

  We thought this was excellent, all roles really well played. Can't think how they can do this every night! Pretty depressing stuff but it makes you appreciate your own imperfect relationships!

• gill

  Mar 28, 2018

  An excellent performance by all the actors. Humour mixed with tragic sadness made it an impelling experience.

• Shaw

  Mar 26, 2018

  Great performances but could have done with at least 30 minutes less.

• Claire

  Mar 26, 2018

  Good seats and view for the offer price. I really enjoyed the first act and I thought Lesley Manville was outstanding. The second act went on a bit despite some excellent acting from the rest of the cast but that is no reflection on the performances but more about the construct of the play. Glad I saw it though.

• Marian rogers

  Mar 26, 2018

  The performance was exceptional in all respects

• H62

  Mar 26, 2018

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• JH

  Mar 25, 2018

  A great production of a brilliant play. The performances, particularly Lesley Manville were first rate. Even my teenage son was entranced.

• richard kirby

  Mar 25, 2018

  Disappointing.

• Valentina

  Mar 25, 2018

  Brilliant. Keeps you engaged the whole time. All the actors are outstanding. Don't miss it.

• C Clarke

  Mar 24, 2018

  Brilliant cast, storyline well written. However, felt the conclusion could have come at least by half an hour.

• Theatre lover

  Mar 24, 2018

  I loved every bit of the play. This is the first time I saw Jeremy Iron in a play.....it was overwhelming for me. Such a powerful actor!!

• Melanie Buchan

  Mar 23, 2018

  Wonderful, wonderful performances and a gob smackingly powerful and involving first half. We do not understand why Michael Billington, seemingly, encouraged Eyre to lengthen the play. The audience were restless and there was a tiresome inevitability in one actor taking centre stage after another. We would probably give it 5 stars if half an hour of act 2 was cut. The whole thrust and energy of the play was lost. Definitely worth seeing though for the great stage performances and the love/hate dynamic of the characters defining themselves through their own painful baggage.

• Springtime

  Mar 23, 2018

  Eugenie O'Neil always ready to use six words when one would suffice is a challenge at the best of times. The cast were all very able Lesley Manville was particularly good at alluding to her drug induced fog. However this was not enough to keep me awake after a working day. I suggest theatre goers be prepared for the long haul and have an early night the day before.

• Sylvie

  Mar 22, 2018

  Love the theatre.Fabulous performance.Loved the set.The actors were all brilliant .So many lines for them to deliver... 3 hours + !!! We were in the Grand Circle and, on the whole, could hear mostly... but possibly my age!!meant the captions, in this case, were most helpful. Throughout the performance the audience were still and silent.Totally enthralled.

• Vivienne G

  Mar 22, 2018

  Expected to be wowed by this production but felt a little disappointed. It seemed that Jeremy Irons was a little off his game muddling lines. I wouldn't have know if it hadn't been for the fact that the performance was subtitled. The rest of the cast were good. The set was amazing and made the space very open. Other productions have made the space very claustrophobic suited to the period. I enjoyed the play.

• Kazumi

  Mar 22, 2018

  Fantastic play but over 3 hours was little too much.

• Katey

  Mar 22, 2018

  What a splendid production in a magnificent set. Every thing had been thought through to provide a well balanced and awe inspiring performances of this most difficult of play scripts. Did not notice it was 3 hours long. The acting and total production was fascinating,moving and thought provoking.Every one must be really proud of their contribution. The West End needs more of these total theatre productions. Shame it could not be seen all over the UK.

• Ricky Upadhyayula

  Mar 22, 2018

  Long, laborious and lacking any noticeable narrative. Characters talk in exposition and actors are unimaginatively blocked and melodramatically performed. Long Play's Slow Journey into Nightime

• Silvia

  Mar 22, 2018

  The show was absolutely gripping and sadly modern in its themes, despite being based on older times. Great performances by all actors, I can tick my "see Jeremy Irons live" box off!

• Jane

  Mar 22, 2018

  I had hesitated to see this production, having been overwhelmed many years ago by the unforgettable production starring Olivier in the role now taken by Jeremy Irons. However, I was not disappointed and can whole heartedly recommend this revival. O'Neill's harrowing play is a superbly crafted exploration of regret, loss, anger, bitterness, resentment and more experienced by each member of a family. As always, O'Neill's dialogue is superb and his characters brilliantly drawn. Each 'accusation', rather than being simply repetitive, brings us closer to their inmost anguish and sheds more light on each of them and their emotions. The entire cast is flawless and Richard Eyre's sensitive direction allows the actors full reign. I also loved the set which reflects the actors movements.

• isabel

  Mar 22, 2018

  A very good performance from the cast a very enjoyable and thoughtful afternoon money well spent

• Searlybird

  Mar 22, 2018

  Wonderful cast and interesting play but the timings need a re-think. Ferryman is long so starts at 7. This should too. 11.15 (it overran by 20 minutes for some reason) was to late a finish. Ecven 10.45 is too late. 10.15 would be fine.

• Would be Thespian .

  Mar 22, 2018

  I have waited over 30years to see this play,and was not disappointed. The tension is amazing,and the insight is fantastic. The performances were all good,with the exception of Jeremy Irons accent,which was poor.She however is outstanding,and the boys are both very good. I would willingly see it again,as it stays with you.

• Jasmine

  Mar 22, 2018

  In spite of the fantastic cast , avoid this play : it's long, overblown and could easily have ended with the same storyline at the end of the first act. Not knowing Eugene O'Neill's plays I had no idea what I was in for , and like most of the crowd I was there because of the celebrity pulling power of Irons and Manville. Very disappointed.