Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire star in this revival of Tom Stoppard’s play at the Old Vic Theatre. But what have critics been saying about it?
Radio Times: ****”Thanks to restrained but deft direction from David Leveaux, what can be a slightly maddening play, full of meta-moments and clever flourishes, becomes instead a sort of absurdist panto.”
The Independent: **** “David Haig is on fantastic form as the Player – like a seedy, Vincent Crummles-like impresario, at once boomingly ridiculous and bringing also a brrrr-inducing chill at moments of knowing more about this script than anyone.”
The Stage: **** “Director David Leveaux mines the play expertly for all its subplots and subtexts around the purpose and meaning of what each character is striving, mostly fruitlessly, towards, against Fleischle’s backdrop of panels with cloud-like shapes painted on them.”
WhatsOnStage: **** “Leveaux’s direction, on the other hand, is carefully modulated, pulling the different threads together with considerable skill.”
Time Out: *** “it feels – or Leveaux’s production makes it feel – there’s little that can be done with this technically exacting piece that wasn’t mapped out half a century ago.”
The Telegraph: **** “Radcliffe’s Rosencrantz and Joshua McGuire’s Guildenstern are a delight as the discombobulated double-act”
The Guardian: **** “David Leveaux’s production is nimble and inventive.”
Broadway World: **** “Radcliffe and McGuire excel at Stoppard’s verbal tennis, finding a nice lived-in rhythm for the quick-fire, increasingly panic-laced exchanges.”
The Times: **** “it’s a joy to report that Daniel Radcliffe, of Harry Potter fame, plays Rosencrantz with all the confidence of a man who has no idea who he is. Joshua McGuire is equally good as his friend, Guilden-thingy-whatsit, a man permanently on the verge of making a decision.”
Evening Standard: **** “it remains strange and charming, always clever and sometimes soulful.”
The FT: **** “David Leveaux’s production canters along (perhaps too swiftly at times) and takes delight in both the wordplay and the metatheatrical business, which runs through it.”
The Daily Mail: *** “Mr Radcliffe is certainly competent. ”
London News Online: **** “Highly amusing and infinitely intriguing, this is a welcome addition to London’s theatre scene this season.”
The Upcoming: *** “It’s a fine production, with fine performances that ends up being, well, fine. It is a shame, however, that the Old Vic couldn’t usher in something a bit more radical, and a bit less respectful, for the play’s big anniversary.”
Hollywood Reporter: “The leads make a good team: Radcliffe as the dimmer, more light-hearted Rosencrantz, McGuire the intellectually pompous and agitated Guildenstern; one bearded and dark-eyed, the other curly-haired with a toothy grin. Together, they handle the intricate dialogue with aplomb, allowing the jokes to fizz and the anxiety to register.”
London Theatre.co.uk: **** “The result is a glistening delight and another triumph for Matthew Warchus’s Old Vic.”
Variety: “Director David Leveaux and actors Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire not only dramatize the differences between the characters, they lend the quick-fire quibbling and squabbling a hitherto little-seen melancholia.”
Culture Whisper: **** “Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire play the titular twosome with chemistry and comic clout.”
British Theatre Guide: “much of the fun comes from Haig as the sleazy Player, a bawdy fellow with great self-possession and a sense of showmanship second to none.”
Theatre Cat: “McGuire is well known on the stage for his zippy tempo and sharp delivery. But to see this collapse every now and again, revealing flickers of despair, is heartbreaking. Likewise Radcliffe’s morose Guildenstern, whipped up into a frantic and repressed fury, is wonderful.”
Theatre Weekly: **** “very accomplished performances from David Haig, Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire. Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead is a fantastically funny, madcap night of theatre.”
Live Theatre: ** “Levaux’ Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead is a travesty. Chubb and Radcliffe give it some grace and energy, but it is not enough. Levaux’ shortcomings are too severe to be overcome.”
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead continues to play at the Old Vic Theatre until the 29th April. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com,Last Minute.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.