-
The birthday party
15 April 2018
Gripping but wildly funny
Colin harvey Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
15 April 2018
Thought provoking.
Anne-Marie Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Hugely enjoyable!
15 April 2018
Great cast in this revival of Pinter's Birthday Party. Zoe Wanamaker exceptionally good as were Toby Jones and Stephen Mangan. The comedy of the first act giving way to the menacing quality of the second deftly achieved. Atmospheric with a great sense of time and place. Hugely enjoyable and highly recommended.
JaniceH Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Stunning Dark Comedy
15 April 2018
This production breathes new life into this classic with really outstanding performances from a series of household names. The intensity is almost unbearable at times - particularly when Stephen Managhan and Toby Jones are on stage. There are dark laughs to be found - but also humour extracted from the everyday mundanity of life - for which Zoe Wannamakers timing can be given huge credit. The production and performances deserve all the plaudits bestowed in the press - excellent.
John Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
2nd Half Agony
13 April 2018
Just been to the Tower of London today. I think the prisoners there had a better experience than us at the theatre last night. It was awful - never again.
Barry Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday by H Pinter
13 April 2018
I'm into Pinter -- eg I loved 'No Man's Land' at Wyndham's last year. As I cannot understand speech easily (after an illness), esp at the theatre, I read the play twice in advance. This much helped, as I could 'get' various passges, which otherwise would have been lost on me. I still think that too many actors mumble too much and I thought some exchanges in this production weren't give due clarity -- for instance the first scene between Meg and Petey, which is brimming over with wit because of the craft of the dialogue.
Maybe Goldberg was the best in clarity.
However, overall I thought this was a very good and strong. The ushers were all most helpful (eg over a hearing aid). I love this theatre and its ambience including old programmes.
Stewart Francis Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Pure Pinter
12 April 2018
A very good production of Pinter’s play. The cast are terrific, an acting masterclass. It is worth seeing for that alone. However what the play is about remains unclear but then that is why we go to see Pinter. It is like an abstract painting.
kentmerlin Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Captive and Captivated
12 April 2018
Excellent all-round. Assured, fluent delivery of a script which leapt off the page onto the stage. With the back-up of authentic/atmospheric set and light/sound effects, the cast & production made both the humour & the darkness come through & work off each other, and even the non-sequiturs & absurdities cohere, and coalesce with the main narrative thrust. Totally absorbing. A joy.
Gaz Beahan Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
the birthday party
12 April 2018
It was fantastic play, especialy Zoe Wanamaker was so funny.
Kazumi Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Another Happy return
12 April 2018
The impact of this play on its first performance, along with related work by Becket, Ionesco and Genet, was enormous. Now it feels like 'standard Pinter', a heady mixture of language and emotion. The current performance is competent, but heavy handed.
Max Steuer Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The birthday party
9 April 2018
Dreadful! As regular theatre goers, this was one of the worst plays we have viewed. Several people alongside where we were sitting left before the end.
Could not recommend it to anyone.
M Fairlie Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
9 April 2018
SUPERB: the play, the actors, stage set and everything else have contributed to an unforgettable evening.
My only critique is the gasp-inducing price of £ 150 per seat! The two seats that I've booked were excellent (front of the dress circle). The cheaper ones, at £80 had a restricted view! How can a theatre charge so much for useless seats? I'm not sure when I'll be able to afford another outing like this, but at least the memories will last a long time.
Barbara Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Brilliant
8 April 2018
Superb production and the cast is fantastic!
Jane Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
7 April 2018
Splendid play - marvellously acted
Tim Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Excellent - cracking with undercurrents
7 April 2018
Excellent production of a very interesting play. As time has passed its deep roots in its own times become clearer but it is still a fascinating and teasing script offering acute insights into humane relationships, self-delusion, tales we tell ourselves, amorality and and moral cowardice - all reflected in a kaleidoscope of reflective shards. A great evening's theatre, perfect and massively accomplished cast, perfect and magic performances.
David Hewlett Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Oh dear!
6 April 2018
Despite a star studded cast, this is one of the worst things I have seen in the theatre for years.
Stephen Mangham was great, but it’s such a weird play, with bizarre plots that even he, Zoe Wanamaker, and Toby Jones couldn’t save it.
Stormcloud Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Birthday Party
6 April 2018
Excellent. Very true to the script, with terrific performances all round. Lots of menace and a sense of mystery, as you'd expect, plus the great jokes you get from Pinter. The set-piece speeches by Goldberg (Stephen Mangan) were terrific. The sound was clear; I was sitting in the upper circle and heard every word.
Chris Howe Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
5 April 2018
What a waste of good actors! The plot was totally incomprehensible and so very boring.
Disgruntled. Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Supberb
5 April 2018
A slightly bizarre play including comedy and darkness. The acting by all players was outstanding and kept us gripped from the moment the curtain rose. Thoroughly recommended.
Zoe. Fan Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
5 April 2018
An wonderful theatrical experience. The acting was superb and the whole production memorable. I began laughing and ending up terrified.
Jill Ambler Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Enthralling
5 April 2018
Wonderful performances from all the cast. I hadn't seen this play for a number of years and was struck by how it still makes a marked impression. So many ways to interpret this play and I thought this production was very thought provoking.
Jenny Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Thought provoking
5 April 2018
Funny at times but quite menacing for most of the play. My husband and I left the play pondering the deeper meaning and surprised ourselves. Makes a change from a musical or drama and made us discuss the entire story over dinner!
Julia. Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Thoroughly enjoyed "The Birthday Party".
3 April 2018
My family and I had a great time. The length of the show was just right. It seemed to end quite quickly though.
Thanks for a lovely evening.
Anna Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
3 April 2018
Super ensemble piece.
Peg Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Superb Production
1 April 2018
Perhaps not what some members of the audience had expected from a play entitled ‘The Birthday Party’. Instead of the pleasure and bonhomie of a celebration, it is an evening of dark and threatening uncertainty mixed with comic absurdity. Set in the 50’s in a dated, drab and run-down seaside B&B, all the action takes place in one room in an oppressive atmosphere. The room is graced by great acting talent all of whom contribute to the finished production. Perhaps entertaining is the wrong word to describe the play but its mix of menace, humour and unresolved mystery make it a thought-provoking evening.
Sandwichgeneration Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Classic Pinter, leaving you guessing
1 April 2018
For anyone who wants a straightforward storyline, you may not enjoy it. But if you are looking for something thought provoking, darkly humorous and sinister in storyline... You will love it.
The acting is as you would expect, fantastic, the staging basic but full of character.
A must see if you are a fan of Pinters work
Heather Allan Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
A brilliant cast
1 April 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable, with a cast that goes above and beyond bringing Pinter’s characters to life.
Fran Kirk Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Brilliant.
1 April 2018
Powerful, entertaining and a brilliant cast.....with countless Laugh out Loud moments!
Highly recommended.
Shelly Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
visit sat 31st
1 April 2018
Play quite good but seats and view terrible.It was extremely hot and uncomfortable in the seats we had.
imogen clarke Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
31 March 2018
Wonderful acting/actors.
Obscure (to say the least!) storyline!
Elaine Matthews Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
31 March 2018
A wonderful rendering of this classic Pinter play, with a stellar cast. Perfect staging and lighting complemented the performance in the intimate setting of the Pinter Theatre...not to be missed.
Kate R Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
28 March 2018
Excellent performances all round, and direction evoking sleazy 50’s atmosphere and menace. Highly recommended especially if you have any interest in Pinter
Michael Adamson Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Stupendous...
28 March 2018
First class performances from all cast members - Stephen Mangan particularly a tour de force! Superb show...
Penny Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party - a big disappointment
27 March 2018
We had never watched a Harold Pilnter play before but were encouraged to see this after some excellent reviews. The plot seemed good and we expected a great show.
But what a disappointment. In our view, the play never got going for the story line was weak and the humour was gentle and no more. The acting and production was as one would expect very good, but if the content is as poor as this the professionals trying to make it work have an impossible job. Pinter clearly has a big following, but isn’t it good we are all different!
Tim Elliott Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Confusing
25 March 2018
I didn't enjoy this play at all. There were amusing parts but generally I found it boring and couldn't understand it.
Sarah Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Pinter at its finest
25 March 2018
From the exquisite cast to the crumbling boarding house itself, each element of this performance synchronises to exude that telltale Pinter menace in a way that will leave you breathless. Exceptional.
Shan M Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Great acting but story a bit strange
22 March 2018
Ok if you are prepared for a slightly odd story with a bit of mystery. You never really find out what behind it!
SMC Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
22 March 2018
Superb acting that unpicked the complex characters and created the menacing atmosphere of the play. Humour was captured throughout the performance, a completely captivating evening, could not be bettered.
Jka Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Confused!
22 March 2018
Maybe I should have read up about the plot ( or lack of it!) before going to watch the play. That may have helped but I am very sorry to say that it was the worst play I have been to. I couldnt really follow what was going on and could have easily walked out but wanted to give it a chance.It made no impact on me.
Eva Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Harold Pinter fans only
21 March 2018
Great acting. Storyline.....
What storyline
Not for me!
Judy Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
21 March 2018
Brilliant performances by all, excellent casting especially Zoe Wanamaker and Stephen Mangan. Laughed a lot but as often with Pinter plays came away a little unsure of what it was all about!
The feel was extraordinary contempory for a play written over 60 years ago. Very enjoyable, will now read a bit about the background!
Lorna Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
An amazing production.
21 March 2018
This was an amazing production I highly recommend it to anybody who likes. Theatre. The cast were absolutely amazing from start to finish. Don’t expect to enjoy everything but expect to have an amazing night
James Wheildon Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
Gripping
19 March 2018
Utterly disturbing. Amazing cast, high calibre performances all round. Effective subtlety and keeps the audience guessing.
LucyK Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
The Birthday Party
18 March 2018
An excellent production with superb performances from a stellar cast. Thought provoking and atmospheric.
It's astounding to think how ahead of its time this play must have seemed to audiences in 1957, when it first opened. It still seems a very "modern" play even now, over sixty years later. Only two weeks to go now before it has to close - don't miss it!
Trevor Talbot Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
18 March 2018
I wouldn’t go again. So confusing and not enjoyable. Felt like I needed an English Literature degree to understand or even begin to interpret what was going on. The acting was good though, but I should have done proper research before booking these tickets!
Anon Confirmed ticket purchaser
-
great night out
17 March 2018
I love Harold Pinter plays, so it was a treat for me! Birthday Party by Pinter on my real birthday!
Mariola Confirmed ticket purchaser
