This UK premiere of Tom Jacobson’s play stars James Sindall and Fraser Wall and  looks at a dark chapter in the history of gay rights. But what have critics been saying about it? 

The Guardian: ** “It’s a fascinating tale, but one inadequately explored in Tom Jacobson’s tricksy two-hander.”

The Times: ** “The production is far too seduced by the piece’s tricksiness, and fails to land its emotional and political punch.”

WhatsOnStage: *** “ultimately it all feels a bit tricksy, and the relationship between the two men – once their true natures are revealed – doesn’t quite ring true. Nevertheless it’s crisply performed and tightly directed by Marylynne Anderson-Cooper.”

The Stage: *** “Fraser Wall as Brown and James Sindall as Warren move between the vast number of characters seamlessly yet amid the form and content, it’s very difficult to see the heart of this production.”

Broadway World: **** “Marylynne Anderson-Cooper’s direction makes the subject of the play hit hard.”

The Reviews Hub: *** “Instead, we get a self-indulgent comedy packed with theatre jokes, something of a soufflé that is consistently amusing, but quickly forgettable.”

London Theatre1: *** “A sincere and somewhat compelling production.”

Los Angeles 1914 – a place where modern world reality meets 19th Century bigotry. A time when law enforcement agencies are on a collision course with the clandestine and illicit gay community. In this environment, the police department of Long Beach, California hire two actors as “vice specialists” – their role “to entrap social vagrants” in a sexual act by posing as homosexual men. Lurking in public restrooms and bathhouses, they entice likely suspects into exposing their genitals, then arrest them and in so doing earn $15 a shot. Thirty-one men are arrested. At least one commits suicide.

The Twentieth Century Way plays at Jermyn Street Theatre until the 28th January. For more information and to book tickets visit: http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/twentieth-century-way/.