Howard Brenton’s new play directed by John Dove is now playing at the Hampstead Theatre. But is this play commissioned to mark the centenary of the start of the Arab revolt a critical success? 

The Guardian: *** Michael Billington commented that: ” John Dove’s production is also a model of clarity and achieves the transitions from the village of Ayot St Lawrence to Arabia with great ease.”

Evening Standard: ** Fiona Mountford found: “Brenton has certainly done his research, but there’s an uncomfortable sense of too many biographical details being dutifully shoehorned in whether they help the play or not.”

The Telegraph: **** Tim Auld disagreed writing: “The skill of the play is that it doesn’t make you think; it lets you think.”

WhatsOnStage:**** Sarah Crompton thought: “it is written with a rare and engaging affection for its participants.”

Time Out: ** Tim Bano was disappointed saying: “Maybe it’s the expectation that the story of an extraordinary man should itself be extraordinary, but this quiet, conversational rewriting of Lawrence’s later life seems to be less interesting than the reality.”

The Daily Mail: ** Quentin Letts summed it up by writing: “Lawrence After Arabia never quite grips as it might.”

Traffic Light Theatregoer: “It’s proficiently directed by John Dove and all the actors acquit themselves well.”

Lawrence After Arabia plays at The Hampstead Theatre until the 4th June. To book tickets visit: Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.