We round up the reviews for Tom Littler’s production at the Richmond based theatre.
Broadway World: **** “So what if we are not entirely sure how all its constituent parts are tied up in the end? With this one it is the journey that counts. And what a gorgeous one it is.”
Everything Theatre: **** “Bonus points to director Tom Littler, who makes incredible use of the round space, bringing it totally alive as the characters circle each other, or zoom rapidly on and offstage. The timing and texture throughout is impeccable, building in spaces to momentarily catch a breath before the maelstrom of madness recommences. The whole is a fabulously playful production, impeccably executed and a perfect escapist escapade for Christmas.”
The Guardian: **** “Freddie Fox is a delight as the mercurial Marlow and the air positively crackles as Fox and Tanya Reynolds, as the commanding Kate, circle each other; teasing, testing and horny as anything. It’s all such good fun but surprisingly moving, too – no more so than when Horovitch’s Hardcastle hands over his daughter’s hand in marriage with such pride, such love and just a flicker of sorrow.”
The Telegraph: ***** “The Orange Tree Theatre here delivers a gem of a production, with Greta Scacchi, David Horovitch and Freddie Fox among an excellent cast.”
Theatre Weekly: “Freddie Fox is outstanding in the role, delivering a perfect performance that has the audience in stitches. Fox easily transitions between the two personalities and simultaneously captivates the audience throughout.”
Time Out: **** “Few can act an endearingly buffoonish posho as well as Freddie Fox. He’s on exceptional form here as Charles Marlow – stuttering his way through his meeting with would-be-fiancée Kate Hardcastle before going full lounge lizard on her when she pretends to be a barmaid at her father’s ‘inn’. He and Robert Mountford, as best pal George Hastings, are an excellent double-act – every grimace is a winner.”
WhatsOnStage: **** “This 1773 comedy by Oliver Goldsmith is one of those plays that used to be a repertory staple but has now fallen out of favour. But this sparkling, updated revival by the Orange Tree makes a case for a comeback.”
Evening Standard: *** “The show is a charming Christmas package. It looks ravishing thanks to co-designers Neil Irish and Anett Black, the incidental jazz music is great, and troupes of locals have been enlisted to act as Tony’s cronies in an early tavern singalong. It’s good to see Goldsmith cheerfully revived, and I feel Scroogeish for carping.”
The Reviews Hub: **** 1/2 “Oliver Goldsmith’s eighteenth-century classic sparkles anew with the classy acting and pacy, vibrant direction by Littler.”
The Spy in the Stalls: **** “The performances and, of course, Goldsmith’s script are what drive this comedy through what would otherwise be a fairly safe revival. Anett Black and Neil Irish’s setting has the comfortable warmth of a well-heeled family Christmas, transforming not entirely successfully into the local pub.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Tom Littler, with Francesca Ellis, directs an all-star cast supported by a community ensemble who bring joyful energy to this renowned comedy of misunderstanding and mishaps.”
London Theatre1: **** “There won’t be many better Christmas treats this year than this very fine collector’s piece. Don’t make my mistake and wait 38 years before you see it.”
The Stage: **** “David Horovitch, Greta Scacchi, Tanya Reynolds and Freddie Fox breathe new live into this classic comedy, complete with a festive twist.”
There Ought to be Clowns: “It is daft in the extreme, but Freddie Fox (Charles) and Robert Mountford (Hastings) perfectly capture a foppish energy which plays beautifully off the self-confidence radiating from Tanya Reynolds (Kate) and Sabrina Bartlett (Constance) as they very much seize the initiative in getting what they want. Reynolds’ bright-eyed Kate cosplays as a barmaid to try and understand something of Charles’ psyche, Fox so good at raffish insouciance. And Bartlett is scene-stealingly good as she strives toward eloping, with or without the jewels, her exasperated face a constant delight.”
British Theatre Guide: “Neil Irish’s cosy setting with its comfy furniture and wall-mounted hunting trophies makes the transition between real inn to imagined hostelry easy and, since it’s Christmas, there’s even some snowfall, and classic comedy here offers a Christmastide outing with a happy hint of panto.”
To book tickets visit: https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/she-stoops-to-conquer/about