This brand new all-female production of Laura Wade’s hit play directed by Cressida Carre has officially opened at the Pleasance Theatre. But what have critics been making of it?
The Independent: ***** “A mark of the production’s power that it persuades you that the all-female casting is integral to the play’s meaning and that it should be performed like this from now on.”
The Stage: ** ” the treatment of the play itself lacks a clear shape and the whole production feels like a missed opportunity.”
WhatsOnStage: ** “Everything’s played from outside. Every character’s judged and, so, the drama deflates.”
A Younger Theatre: “Posh is a richly comic play and this production includes a couple of star turns, particularly from the character of Ed Montgomery (played by Verity Kirk).”
Broadway World: *** “Wade’s play certainly still has bite, and this production is a welcome continuation of the cross-casting trend that gives meatier parts to comparatively neglected actresses. But, while an intriguing provocation, it’s neither a totally convincing account of her work, nor a revolutionary reappraisal of it.”
Exeunt Theatre: “So, if it’s not the production, or the casting, or the context that annoys me, it must be the fourth thing: Wade’s play is supposed to get under your skin. It’s supposed to make you furious about the circles within circles that privilege someone based on their father’s surname.”
Everything Theatre: *** “This new production is not a great reinvention of Posh, but the top notch cast makes it worth the watch, whether you’re a new Riot Club initiate or one of the old boys.”
The Guardian: *** “for all the production’s efforts, we have no pity for these spoilt brats, no matter how rakish they appear to be.”
Evening Standard: **** “A fruitful and hugely enjoyable experiment.”
The Times: ** “Sadly, the production is rather tame and toothless, with pivotal moments lacking darkness and danger.”
The Upcoming: **** “Though not exactly carving out meaty roles for women on the stage, now, in the current turbulent landscape of women’s rights, the all-female cast answers a clarion call that is echoed, from boardrooms to bedrooms, all over the world today.”
British Theatre.com: **** “the production succeeds because of the brilliance of Laura Wade’s writing and Carré’s masterly direction.”
London Box Office: ***** “a great evening’s theatre should be entertaining and thought provoking. This brave, inspired and unusual production succeeds triumphantly in both respects.”
The Grizzle Review: *** “It’s debatable, then, whether Posh really transcends gender, but this production is certainly a thought-provoking and nonetheless enjoyable performance.”
London Theatre1: **** “The experiment of having an all-female cast is daring and dramatic and goes to show that good, well-written characters can be played by talented actors irrespective of gender.”
Jonathan Baz Reviews: **** “Daring director Cressida Carre takes her cast and gives them all the prominence their characters sorely desire”
Carn’s Theatre Passion: **** “This production of POSH works very successfully and reinforces the view that gender doesn’t matter. A good actor is a good actor and a good play is a good play.”
Live Theatre UK: *** “It is easy to overthink the meaning of the production’s gender bending and ignore the case in hand: twelve talented female actors performing in a funny, fiery and finessed production.”
Posh continues to play at the Pleasance Theatre until the 22nd April. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/posh#overview.