The Best Man
The Best Man
DOES THE BEST MAN ALWAYS WIN THE WHITE HOUSE?
By Gore Vidal
Two opposing presidential party candidates are neck and neck in an unscrupulous battle for the nomination. The only thing that separates the ex-Secretary of State and his populist opponent is an endorsement from a respected ex-President. But where does compromise end and corruption begin? How far will they each go to become the most powerful man in the world? And who in the end will be proven to be “the best man”?
One of the UK’s best loved actors, MARTIN SHAW leads a star-studded cast. Best known for his TV roles in Judge John Deed, Inspector George Gently and The Professionals, he returns to the stage after his West End triumphs which include An Ideal Husband, Twelve Angry Men, Are You Lonesome Tonight? and A Man for All Seasons.
JEFF FAHEY, American movie star whose films include The Lawnmower Man and TV series Lost co-stars alongside one of Britain’s finest and best loved film, TV and theatre actresses MAUREEN LIPMAN (CBE). Best known on the big screen for roles such as Trish in Educating Rita and in the Oscar winning film The Pianist. A prolific stage actress, Lipman is an Olivier Award winner (See How They Run) and has appeared in some 20 West End productions.
Joining them is JACK SHEPHERD, whose extensive career includes his celebrated roles in Wycliffe and Bill Brand; HONEYSUCKLE WEEKS who starred alongside Michael Kitchen as Samantha Stewart in Foyle’s War and GLYNIS BARBER, best known for Dempsey and Makepeace, Night and Day and EastEnders.
- Duration
2 hours 30 mins (including interval)
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No exchanges or refunds after booking.
- How Does It Work
Please print confirmation email and bring along with you to your performance.
- Suitable For Children
Not suitable for under 12s
- Where Do I Go
Playhouse Theatre
Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5DE
Reviews
M Newey
May 25, 2018
Great play seats spacious (back of stalls) bonus we ordered our interval ice creams from our seats and they were delivered to us,
Pridey
May 23, 2018
Thought it was very well done, it got better and better as it went along didn’t see the end coming . !! Martin Shaw was very good , worth seeing
Stuart
May 22, 2018
Delightful. Some wonderful acting. The story has aged well and seems just as fresh as the day it was first performed.
Berengaria
May 22, 2018
A well judged script by Gore Vidal. Martin Shaw, Glynis barber, Jack Shepherd, Honeysuckle Weeks, Maureen Lipman and Jeff Davey turn in powerful performances, with loads of humour and quips. Shows the shady side of US politics. Sly, masterful political manipulations and machinations abound until the Best Man wins (or does he?). Shaw plays Bill Russell, a senator seemingly bound for the White House, against a formidable foe, Southern senator Joe Cantrell. There was mention that women didn't vote in 1860 when Lincoln was elected and even a hundred years later, by 1960, the girls weren't expected to go for any public office but they do weald considerable background influence. It's been on since February at the Playhouse but coming to the sad end of its run up to the late May bank holiday.
Geoff
May 22, 2018
This was a most entertaining, engaging and enjoyable evening with many well-known top actors not least our favoured Martin Shaw. I am amazed the theatre was not full, given the excellent value on offer - maybe the publicity was not all it could have been - I only found it by a search of all productions - good idea to be more in consumers face with such productions as they are not an immediate and obvious choice
Steve
May 20, 2018
If you love political thrillers or just a personal duel between two different alpha males then you will love this drama. Martin Shaw, and Jack Shepherd are both in their 70s but play their parts with amazing energy considering they must be repeating this 7 or 8 times per week. Maureen Lipman is brilliantly droll as party apparatchik. Is this moral v ruthless or simply New England interlectual v Southern good old boy either way it is a clash of styles and opinions. Book now you will love it.
Peter
May 19, 2018
A witty and absorbing play where naked ambition meets principles. Who will win? You have to wait until the final minutes to discover the outcome. Excellent.
An American
May 18, 2018
A very timely political drama, even though it was written 40 years ago. Strong performances. Highly recommend.
Sarah-Jayne Rayner
May 18, 2018
Wow is all I can say. An amazing afternoons entertainment that had me hooked from beginning to end. Such a good plot which had you guessing right to the end and an amazing adaptation considering the play was written in 1960. Would recommend to everyone to get to the playhouse theatre quick before the run finishes
Keith
May 15, 2018
A great play, outstanding acting from all, lovely theatre. The speech was clear and the captions helped with the odd missed word or name. Looking forward to watching our next play.
Terri
May 14, 2018
So in awe of so many talented actors on the same stage. Really enjoyed the well scripted play. My only issue was that the theatre on the day I went was sleepily warm.
Vicky M
May 13, 2018
Really enjoyable play brilliant cast, witty clever dialogue,. I wasn’t sure about watching a play about American politics but I was pleasantly surprised.
Linda laurie
May 13, 2018
This was a terrific play such great acting by all especially my favourite Martin Shaw Definitely recommended
Sharon
May 13, 2018
Even though the play was written in 1960, we see that the nature of politics has changed little. So much of the play is applicable to today and the Trump administration and his way of "working". Those in the cast gave outstanding performances and were very believable. The accents were quite good; however, Martin Shaw did seem to have difficulty with the New England/Bostonian accent, which is in fairness, is very difficult to even an American not from that part of the States to imitate. An enjoyable and thought provoking afternoon at the theatre.
Beryl Harper
May 13, 2018
This was a very entertaining yet thought provoking play. The acting by all the members of the cast was superb and they complemented each other very well. A special mention for Jack Shepherd who was excellent
June Venters QC
May 12, 2018
Very entertaining. Maureen Lipman as always superb.
Marjorie
May 12, 2018
A fast paced satirical play much appreciated by the audience.
Pam
May 12, 2018
Very good play about American politics which could have been written very recently with an excellent cast led by Martin Shaw. Well worth seeing.
Tricia
May 11, 2018
What a great play and fantastic acting. Well worth seeing, I recommend it!!
Julia baker
May 11, 2018
Excellent acting Martin Shaw amazing,all in all very enjoyable. Lovely theatre reall cute. Staff lovely. Good night out.
Nesta
May 11, 2018
An interesting play, excellent cast and very well acted. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
KG
May 11, 2018
Great play and performance by everyone. Would definitely see it again.
JENNIFER
May 10, 2018
Highly entertaining, funny, interesting and brilliant acting from the whole cast.
C.M. Paske
May 10, 2018
The Best Man was tremendously enjoyed - the cast was splendid and the interpretation of Gore Nidal's play impressive. We loved the production, the actors, clever set and l960's costumes. It carried a flavour of current politics but probably not many would be so ethical as Bill Russell. We liked the theatre too; nicely decorated with good facilities for women and men. It was a most enjoyable afternoon.
AlanB
May 8, 2018
Excellent performances from all the cast telling a story that is as relevant now as it was when written in the 60s. The story centred around the two presidential candidates provides a tight script that holds your attention throughout. Particular mention to Jack Shepherd and his portrayal of the out going president and the interaction between him and Martin Shaw as a would be candidate is brilliant. Glynis Barber as the dutiful wife to Martin Shaw's character was a treat to watch. the unfaithful husband supported to the end by his wife. All together a great play and would not have missed it.
G. Craig
May 8, 2018
A very 'safe' performance by the cast with some good scenes and jokes punctuated throughout the piece. Nothing ground breaking or startling, but as it is an older script this was not surprising.
Keith Hufton
May 6, 2018
This play is made by the two leading actors and supported by some other great names. It is a perfect interpretation of the original book and makes you understand the corruption and dealings in the US optical system.
Jayant Chavda
May 6, 2018
A well-acted and very relevant political drama. Jack Shepherd, in particular, gives an excellent performance but Martin Shaw is very good as an intelligent and idealistic politician who wants to hold on to his integrity.
Chris Beetles
May 5, 2018
Get talked into going as I was. Two and half hours of absorbing and stimulating entertainment. The interval was an intrusion. The script, though written nearly 60 years ago had a consistent intelligence with relevance to today’s political events. Not a weak link in the cast with stand out performances from Jack Shepherd, Maureen Lipman and Jeff Fahey ( and who would know his was the only natural American accent). Direction was was full of pace and flair giving the narrative meaning and space for the polemics.
Susan
May 4, 2018
'The Best Man' was really entertaining with passionate acting. I don't know how all the actors learn all the lines, deliver them with American accents and show the passion and emotion of the story. Great play!
Lady Cohen
May 4, 2018
Really enjoyed this play, of its time but still so relevant today and brilliantly acted by everyone.
Melrose
May 4, 2018
Excellent play, a privilege to see well known actors. Wonder about the acoustics - was in front row of the circle and had to listen hard - or maybe it was the American accents?
T Marshall
May 3, 2018
Great play, acted excellently by all the cast. Stand out performances from Jack Shepherd and Glynis Barber
E Brown
May 2, 2018
Thought provoking and very enjoyable evening, great acting from a very talented cast. Although set in the american politics of 1960 it is so relevant today.
Gillian Appleton
May 1, 2018
You don’t need to know a lot about the US political system to enjoy this riveting play, set against the backdrop of a convention to choose a presidential candidate (though knowing a little about the real people writer Gore Vidal drew inspiration from for his characters adds a delicious frisson of recognition). There’s not a false note in the writing or the performances from a great cast. If I had to single out one it would have to be Jack Shepherd as the outgoing President, still in love with politics and fighting to the end. But they are all fantastic. In a week of music, opera and theatre in London The Best Man was the standout event for this Aussie visitor.
G.T.
May 1, 2018
Honestly booked this for the amazing cast. Especially Martin Shaw! But thoroughly enjoyed the play. great acting. Could definitely see parallels! Would recommend.
William
May 1, 2018
I really enjoyed the play and in truth it was even better than expected. Great cast and very witty at times. Kept my attention all the way through. Best play I have seen in a long time ? Is this the Westend's best kept secret as a lot of my Theatre going friends did not even know it was on. Definitely a strong recommendation.
KT
Apr 29, 2018
Incredible. We hung on to every word spoken and left the theatre quite emotional as we'd never seen such wonderful acting before. Powerful, delicate, funny, intense and a whole host of other adjectives. Alas, I think The Best Man is coming to the end of it's run but I hope that wonderful caste get's together again - we'll be watching out for your next production. Thank you all so much for your skill and perfection. X
M.K Mitchell
Apr 29, 2018
Enjoyed the play on the whole - found The American accents a little difficult to understand at times
Sue
Apr 29, 2018
We thoroughly enjoyed this play. An excellent cast and a good story line. My only criticism was that the dialogue was a little difficult to understand sometimes due to the strong American accents being used.
Sarah Davis
Apr 29, 2018
This engaged from the word go, although written in 1960 this was very "timely" and thought provoking and very relevant to todays society. Great performances from all, although we were worried and concerned for Jack Shephards knee at time, less acting than real pain. You soon forgot who you were watching as the play gathered pace.
Jim newman
Apr 29, 2018
A very well acted , humerus play
Jim newman
Apr 29, 2018
A very well acted , humerus play
Lin Kenealy
Apr 27, 2018
Both of us really enjoyed this play with some comedic overtones. We thought all the star players were excellent in their parts, but for us the star of the show who stood out was Jack Shepherd as ex-President Art Hockstader. His portrayal was warm, witty and poignant. Most people will remember him as Wycliffe but he was truly memorable in this part and can highly recommend the play.
Sisters
Apr 27, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this play, all actors were excellent. Booked on the off chance but came up 'trumps'.
MT
Apr 23, 2018
Really good and enjoyable with some subtle humour as well. Tickets ordering easy and worked well and no problems either though over £12 a ticket fee a little steep!
Peter Barry
Apr 23, 2018
There was a question to challenge both your thoughts and prejudices at every turn of this superbly acted and produced play. It may have been set in the fifties but had clear resonance in contemporary politics today. An excellent evening at the theatre.
H F
Apr 22, 2018
Still relevant for today. Strong performances, particularly from Honeysuckle Weeks.
Helen
Apr 22, 2018
I loved this. The play is well written and could reflect politicians now. This is a great cast and the acting was superb. The only reason for not giving five stars was the inability to maintain the accents by some characters.
Liz Reed
Apr 22, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth going to see - Martin Shaw was excellent