We round up the reviews for Philip Ridley’s play, starring Georgie Henley.
The Guardian: **** “It is an immensely energetic, tour de force performance; despite the harrowing subject matter, you simply want it to go on and on.”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “I believe that the play, as well as the performance of Georgie Henley, is truly haunting because it manages to get into your mind and stay there for a long time. It was a perfect example of how talent doesn’t need a lot of surrounding effects and impressive scenery to shine, and this definitely applies to all the people involved, who seem incredibly talented and perfectly synchronized in what they set out to accomplish with Tarantula, which is more than a memorable play to watch.”
London Pub Theatre Magazines: **** “Nonetheless, “Tarantula” is a powerful and memorable piece of theater, one that will linger in my mind much like “Mercury Fur” did all those years ago. It’s a testament to Ridley’s brilliance as a writer, Henley’s talent as a performer, and the production team’s ability to bring this multifaceted story to life.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “Tarantula does feel too long and loses pace in the post-trauma, second half when the family relocate and Toni rebuilds her world psychologically, emotionally, sexually. She takes control of her body and narrative and attempts to put the past behind her, although it has a nasty habit of erupting, unbidden, through the surface. But the unwieldy length of Tarantula doesn’t negate it as a terrific piece of contemporary theatre that reflects on how, in many ways, we are all trapped like flies, between the past, present, and future.”
First Night Magazine: **** “Poignant, enchanting and consecutively haunting, Tarantula is far from stinging its crowd for an evening they’ll spit venom about. Instead, they will be taken on an uneven, fast-moving ride packed with intrigue and excitement – oozing memorability through its clever writing and enthralling rendition.”
The Spy in the Stalls: **** “Georgie Henley destroys us with the scale of her loss. Her performance is courageous and raw. It is a magnificent and terrible thing to watch.”
Adventures in Theatreland: **** “Georgie Henley’s performance is very empathetic. Henley exudes her emotions and energy to the audience moment by moment throughout the 90-minute play. Not only does she play Toni, but she plays almost every character that appears in the play and distinguishes them very clearly through their mannerisms and habits during the intense dialogues.”
Theatre Weekly: **** “Tarantula is a mesmerising exploration of identity, memory, and the human psyche that leaves audiences spellbound.”
Everything Theatre: ***** “My thoughts on what it means may change come tomorrow but my thoughts on Henley’s performance will remain consistent. A stunning solo turn in a complex but incredible piece of writing.”
Tarantula continues to play at the Arcola Theatre until the 25th January.