Dominic Cooper is making his West End debut in Terry Johnson’s production of The Libertine. But what have critics thought of it?
The Guardian: **** “The play may be too lewd for prudes, but it offers an invigorating, warts-and-all portrait of a self-destructive sceptic.”
British Theatre.com: ***”The Libertine is an enjoyable, but rather unfulfilling play.”
A Younger Theatre: “Silly, saucy and just a little bit sad, The Libertine is a portrait of a troubled young man in an age where anything goes.”
The Independent: *** ” Johnson’s production seems happier with the bawdy than with the more painful strains in the play.”
The Financial Times: **** “Johnson and his cast relish the sheer filth of Rochester’s oeuvre.”
The Stage: *** “Exuberant revival of a play that is part-historical drama and part-comic demonstration of men behaving badly.”
The Telegraph: *** “Not a full-on flop all told but be warned, if you go seeking after the elixir of lusty excitement you may end up feeling you’ve but quaffed a cup of Earl Grey.”
Radio Times: *** “what you warm to here is the vibrancy and fun, the naughty idea that you are peeking into a bad life fully lived and fully wasted – enjoying the moment but leaving rather low. I suppose that’s fitting in a way. I am sure the Earl felt the same way at the end of his life.”
WhatsOnStage: ** “It is intermittently entertaining but the play never dips very deep beneath the surface.”
London Theatre.co.uk: *** “Johnson’s production is at least no one man show but an evening of real ensemble strength.”
Evening Standard: *** “Although Cooper guarantees a degree of smouldering allure, the atmosphere of The Libertine isn’t sexy enough.”
London Theatre 1: ***** “Go and see The Libertine, laugh, have a drink and enjoy the bawdy humour. It’s what Rochester would have wanted.”
West End Wilma: **** “All in all this is a surprisingly funny piece which gives curious insight into the aftermath of puritanism and the birth of the restoration period, in which entertainment and theatre truly began to speak to the people.”
Love London Love Culture: ❤❤❤❤ “A very sophisticated and sharp production, featuring a strong and commanding leading performance from Dominic Cooper.”
The Libertine is booking at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until the 3rd December. For more information and to book tickets visit: http://www.thelibertineonstage.com/.