Gore Vidal’s novel is fascinating and compelling but its power is diminished on stage.
‘A good old-fashioned play about good old-fashioned politics’: THE BEST MAN – West End ★★★★
A good old-fashioned play about good old-fashioned politics. Gore Vidal’s 1960 satire The Best Man is based around the Democratic convention where in reality JFK won his nomination.
‘A watchable account of political in-fighting’: THE BEST MAN – West End
Although The Best Man’s message — that being defeated can be a victory of sorts — is appealingly paradoxical, it is unlikely to make your heart race very fast.
‘Insight aplenty’: THE BEST MAN – West End
The Best Man says nothing directly about today’s White House or the most recent struggle to occupy it – obliquely though, there’s insight aplenty.
NEWS: Martin Shaw leads all-star West End premiere of Gore Vidal’s political drama The Best Man
Martin Shaw stars in the West End premiere of Gore Vidal’s sharp political drama The Best Man, coming tothe Playhouse Theatre in February, with a cast that also features Maureen Lipman, Jeff Fahey, Jack Shepherd, Honeysuckle Weeks and Glynis Barber.
NEWS: All-star cast join Martin Shaw in Gore Vidal’s political drama The Best Man
Jeff Fahey, Jack Shepherd, Glynis Barber, Honeysuckle Weeks, Anthony Powell and Gemma Jones join Martin Shaw in the first major UK production of Gore Vidal’s political drama The Best Man.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Stalking the Bogeyman at Southwark Playhouse
Based on a true story, this tale of one man’s quest for vengeance following his childhood rape is brought to life in Markus Potter’s production. This London premiere production of David Holthouse’s play runs at Southwark Playhouse until 6 August 2016. But does it impress the critics?
STALKING THE BOGEYMAN – Southwark Playhouse
Stalking The Bogeyman is a brave and challenging play. Co-written with Markus Potter who directs, David Holthouse tells his very personal and true story of having been raped at the age of seven by a neighbour and family friend, and of the impact that the rape was to have upon his life.
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL – West End
This review wasn’t going to be written. Why? Well as this was a revisit to a show which I’d previously seen earlier in its run, I thought I’d just sit back and enjoy. However it soon struck me that I was witnessing some really career defining performances. Having been extremely successful on Broadway, Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom. From being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL – West End
This review wasn’t going to be written. Why? Well as this was a revisit to a show which I’d previously seen earlier in its run, I thought I’d just sit back and enjoy. However it soon struck me that I was witnessing some really career defining performances. Having been extremely successful on Broadway, Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom. From being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.