Currently running alongside The Winter’s Tale , this Rattigan double-bill begins with Zoe Wanamaker’s performance of the monologue All on Her Own before Harlequinade takes centre stage. Here is a round up of what critics had to say:
The Guardian: Michael Billington felt that this double-bill deserved four stars conceding that although “It’s hardly major Rattigan but it shows actors delightedly sending up a happily vanished theatrical world.”
The Evening Standard: Henry Hitchings also felt the productions deserved four stars, saying: “Branagh brings a rich sense of the ludicrous to the preening, pompous Arthur Gosport”. (Harlequinade)
British Theatre.com: Stephen Collins gave the production five stars calling it: “a real treat, genuinely delightful, consistently funny, blissfully silly.” (Harlequinade)
The Stage: Mark Shenton wasn’t so impressed awarding the show three stars and saying: “the show is little more than a light, slight, but undeniably amiable theatrical trifle.” (Harlequinade) “Wanamaker brings both poise and heartache to this short, intense play.” (All on Her Own).
The Arts Desk: Marianka Swain described Harlequinade as: “delivered with infectious knockabout joy.” and praised Wanamaker’s performance in All on Her Own as “Wanamaker’s starkly vulnerable portrait”.
The Financial Times: Sarah Hemming gave Harlequinade three stars and All on Her Own four stars feeling that: “this is an infectiously warm-hearted production” (Harlequinade) “a painfully moving study in grief and remorse that quietly links back to Leontes.” (All on Her Own).
All on Her Own and Harlequinade will continue to perform at the Garrick Theatre until the 13th January 2016. For more information visit: http://www.branaghtheatre.com/harlequinade/index.php . To book tickets visit: Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk , Discount Theatre.com , Last Minute.com , Love Theatre.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk .