We round up the reviews for the world premiere production of A Very Expensive Poison, Lucy Prebble’s reimagining of Luke Harding’s exposé of the events behind the notorious death of ex-FSB Officer Alexander Litvinenko.
‘Prefers buffoonery over analysis’: A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON – Old Vic
Lucy Prebble’s latest tells the story of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in A Very Expensive Poison, but prefers buffoonery over analysis.
‘Some of us will just not know what to think’: A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON – Old Vic
In A Very Expensive Poison Lucy Prebble has serious arguments to outlay about the relationship between international governments and narrative misdirection, but the broadly comic approach to presentation feels at odds with the meaning of the play.
‘Unlikely to either open minds or stimulate them’: A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON – Old Vic
Though it’s in places informative, A Very Expensive Poison is a very expensive means of sapping the intrigue and human interest from one man’s inhumane death
‘Using theatre to entertain & appal’: A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON – Old Vic Theatre ★★★★★
Marina Litvinenko’s final address in A Very Expensive Poison, reminding us of our political cowardice and idly greedy tolerance of crooked Russian money in our capital city, will bring theatres to their feet in admiration for her and shame at our shabbiness. It needed telling.
‘Arguably 90 minutes of the scariest theatre I’ve seen’: BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO – Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★
Adapter Joel Harwood and director Tom Scutt have wisely spattered plenty of black comedy throughout their superbly tense production of Berberian Sound Studio.
‘Subtle, atmospheric & imaginative’: BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO – Donmar Warehouse
As chilling as it is fascinating, Tom Scutt’s production of Berberian Sound Studio is an effective slow-burner that captures the audience’s attention as much as their imagination.
NEWS: Two new productions are announced as part of Josie Rourke’s final season at the Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse’s outgoing artistic director Josie Rourke has announced today two new productions as part of her final season, both with rising directorial talents at the helm.