Reviews

• flashpacker46

  Apr 3, 2018

  Really excellent performance, both actresses superb. We could hear every word that was said which is sadly not always the case in theatres.

• Margarete Br iggs

  Apr 2, 2018

  The acting was outstanding. I loved the play. I was really interested in the psychology of the two queens their similarities and differences. They were both pawns of their time. Most interesting was the parallel to today’s world of intrigue and betrayal. How did Juliette Stevenson and Lia Williams a hive this feat and treat.

• PG

  Mar 31, 2018

  Excellent. Strained to hear the actors sometimes - especially when their backs were to the audience. Loved the acting.

• Jane

  Mar 30, 2018

  A superbly acted and interpreted production.

• M bayes

  Mar 30, 2018

  An excellent production. Beautifully and powerfully acted.

• JamJam

  Mar 30, 2018

  The play was clever and insightful and the set minimalist and contemporary. The only think that was negative was that at times some of the quieter dialogue was really hard to hear.

• N Oliver

  Mar 30, 2018

  This director has delivered yet another stonker. For those that don't know what the means ... it is a very good thing! The scene with the dressing down and dressing up is genius. Not one redundant line and performances are spell binding. Brilliant.

• Loved it

  Mar 29, 2018

  Do not miss this production it is mesmerising The female leads are fabulous only Mortimer disappointed

• Jane Gordon Julien

  Mar 28, 2018

  "Mary Stuart" is a contemporized version of a Shakespearean drama, with the two primary characters, blessedly, being women. The veracity of the tale is of no importance; what is important is the conflict of the characters, the portrayal of power lost and power retained, the determination of the David and the uncertainty of the Goliath. An excellent production, with two glorious actresses in the leads.

• T L

  Mar 27, 2018

  I enjoyed the production, Juliet Stevenson was brilliant. I thought the first part was too long & at least 20 minutes could be cut.

• Philippa

  Mar 27, 2018

  This is an amazing piece of theatre and gripping historical drama. The tension of the dynamic between the two women was palpable and moving. I have seen the play twice.

• dcreviees

  Mar 27, 2018

  One of the best night's in the theater. How these incredible actors can prepare for a role seconds before inhabiting them is beyond belief

• Peter R

  Mar 26, 2018

  The leads, Juliet Stephenson and Lia Williams were excellent. However, some of the supporting cast rushed through their lines at times, and were occasionally quietly spoken. This is a very “wordy” play, dealing with complicated shifts in allegiances , so a little more clarity would have been helpful. Overall though, a great performance from the two queens.

• Judith A Livingston

  Mar 25, 2018

  I much enjoyed this production and Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams were superb, their energy and total immersion was compelling and all I expected. The language of this translation and the staging allowed for incredibly clear storytelling and revealed in what a bind these two queens found themselves, both trapped by their times and circumstances. What was wrong with this piece was the limited acting skills of David Jonson Fray as Davidson, who’s facial twitches were all he seemed able to bring to the role. And Rudi Dharmalingam as Mortimer, though sleazy enough for Mortimer, was sleazy in just the wrong way. Also Eileen Nicholas as Melville seemed an odd choice, why not a man, especially as Melville having taken holy orders made the ‘blind casting’ further difficult to cope with. I loved the drone like soundscape throughout but hated the song, inserted at the climax of the play, too much like a pop song and for me and spoilt the mood. Carmen Munro as Kennedy and Michael Byrne as Talbot were both brilliant, as was Elliot Levey as a horrifically sinister and manipulative Burleigh. The theatre is a delight, the staff wonderful and, bar the above criticisms, this play is well worth seeing and will remain with me long into the future.

• Lynne Parsons

  Mar 25, 2018

  Amazing production that was thought provoking and stimulating. The two leading women were stunningly good and supported by a convincing cast. The minimal set design only added to our enjoyment. Not too convinced by the song at the end but loved the way in which Elizabeth was dressed. And at the start the spinning if the coin was a brilliant conceit and completely relevant. Loved it all.

• D Piper

  Mar 25, 2018

  Thoroughly enjoyable evening with tremendous acting particularly from the leading ladies.

• Deb

  Mar 25, 2018

  Absolutely brilliant from start to finish!

• Sean White

  Mar 25, 2018

  I went with my friend and didn't want to pay too much for seats. Ours were £12 each so we expected restricted views. However our stage view was reasonable and didn't spoil our experience. In fact as it was Sat afternoon it was less packed and I was able to move to the end of the row in the corner which paridoxically gave me a better view. Super cast and wonderful performance. Juliet Stevenson gave it her all as she played downtrodden Mary Stuart. Minimalist stage which was enough to enter into the scenes at points but not distract from the main actors. Beautiful theatre inside and in the bar area too.

• Sally

  Mar 25, 2018

  All the actors involved really gave it their all! I absolutely loved the show. I would recommend it to anyone.

• Tracy, Readin

  Mar 24, 2018

  I find this period of history fascinating & this play has prompted me to go back & look again at some of these characters around the throne. Quote of the night from Elizabeth - 'a crown is a cell...with jewels'! Totally gripping drama - well done to the whole cast!

• Anne Titley

  Mar 22, 2018

  Very thrilling show with such excellent acting & dramatisation, Thanks to all the cast for such a wonderful production.

• John Wilson

  Mar 22, 2018

  I thought it was a very good performance, well acted and as it was 3 hours long still kept my attention.

• MBH

  Mar 22, 2018

  I thoroughly enjoyed the performance - from the acting through to the production all was outstanding. First class performance!

• Georgina Smith

  Mar 19, 2018

  What a fantastic performance! I would like to see it again with the roles reversed but that couldn’t be guaranteed!

• Helen A

  Mar 18, 2018

  Excellent piece of historical theatre. Captivating.

• Eve

  Mar 18, 2018

  Brilliant quality acting, staging was simple and very powerful ... meaty subject matter and writing. Worth seeing.

• Jenny Jackson

  Mar 18, 2018

  Really engaging and very moving performance, especially the two leading actresses. Highly recommended.

• LW

  Mar 17, 2018

  A very talented company of actors delivering an ensorbing and compelling performance. Second time I’ve seen the production (first was at Almeida), just as good and noticed things missed first time around.

• Lizzy Jo

  Mar 17, 2018

  This is an amazing production - I don't know how the cast manage to do the show every night - it must be exhausting! Very intense and moving, but surprisingly funny in places. The best show I've seen in years...

• Jenny

  Mar 16, 2018

  Brilliant. Topical. Moving. Would like to see it again with the main roles the other way round, but.... Can only recommend it.

• P.Phillips

  Mar 16, 2018

  Excellent production extremely well acted

• Libby

  Mar 15, 2018

  This was a great performance from everyone involved. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend going to watch it.

• Loudon

  Mar 13, 2018

  Very disappointing. The acting was far too frenetic and ruined a good play. Modern dress was also a mistake for a play like this one.

• Barbara

  Mar 13, 2018

  An astonishingly play with great depth, insight and drama. Superb performances by the entire cast. It was so thought provoking that I went second time when I was privileged but distracted to see the opposite toss of the coin.

• Jim McCrohan

  Mar 12, 2018

  splendid acting by the two principals; BUT difficult to hear in parts - declaiming rather than discussing; we went home at the interval

• MB

  Mar 11, 2018

  The actors come on stage wearing suits and a con is tossed to decide who plays who for the female leads. You really forget about the outfits as you are drawn into the play. Very very well acted

• N. Wilde

  Mar 11, 2018

  Excellent, Superb and captivating. Very well done and well acted.

• Alison

  Mar 11, 2018

  Fascinating play about where power resides. Fabulous performances. Very moving at times and challenges of characters resonate with politicians of today.

• Jenny HH

  Mar 11, 2018

  Excellent performances by the two leads; powerful, passionate, visceral and thought provoking. On a par with any RSC performances. Production could have been a little tighter with some scenes a bit long.

• CPSM

  Mar 11, 2018

  I was left thinking that too much was ‘just off by a few degrees’ for it to have been intentionally so — So I had to conclude that it was directed as a piece of absurdist theatre. Also there seemed to be microphone issues, as events to the left stage (from actors’ position) were virtually inaudible in seats near the back of the stalls

• Karen W from Essex

  Mar 10, 2018

  Passionate and captivating performance with a modern day twist.

• MarkD

  Mar 10, 2018

  Fantastic. Brilliant. Catch it before it closes

• Claire

  Mar 9, 2018

  Juliet Stevenson was unwell and we had her understudy. Disappointing as I feel the dynamic between the two principals was lacking.

• Sally

  Mar 9, 2018

  The play was excellent, both actresses playing Elizabeth 1 and Mary Stuart were superb, decided by the toss of a coin which made it more intriguing. The supporting cast were also brilliant. The play throughout was gripping highlighted by the fact that the audience were totally spellbound but each act was cleverly interspersed with humour. I left the theatre wanting to find out more about the backstory of both characters. A fantastic evening.

• Martha Cover

  Mar 9, 2018

  Two great female actors were unable to inject much life into this wooden repetitive play.

• Mitchell From Atlanta, GA, USA

  Mar 8, 2018

  One of my all-time favorite plays ever- and we saw it last night with the understudy. what a great play- suspenseful and gripping every second- I was on the edge of my seat. A MUST SEE.

• Wendy Jago

  Mar 8, 2018

  Tension, focus, mental stretch and stimulus, emotional involvement, sharp directing, great acting, clarity of diction. Apart from the very first performance of the Schofield Lear at Stratford about 50 years ago, I'd rate this the best piece of theatre I've seen. What a triumph! Hugely relevant today. I'm telling everyone they should see it.

• Barbara Sherlock

  Mar 8, 2018

  I was disappointed that Juliet Stevenson was not performing and the interruption during the play was highly unusual but obviously necessary. Despite those two events, Jane MacFarlane, the understudy, delivered an outstanding performance, as did Paulet's understudy. The portrayals of all the lead characters had so much depth.

• MAH

  Mar 8, 2018

  A very interesting and thought provoking production.

• Gareth Davies

  Mar 7, 2018

  Very disappointing, we expected to see Juliet Stevenson, no explanation for use of understudy; who was weak. Play was too long, last Act very boring and anticlimatical.