We take a look at what is being said about this stage adaption of Władysław Szpilman’s story, playing at the theatre until the 28th November.
The Guardian: “The musical interludes seem protracted, perhaps because Szpilman’s music is being honoured in fullness. It is still a handsomely orchestrated production, and moving, too, when finally Krikler sits down to play the piano himself in Out of the Darkness. A survivor, finally inhabiting his music.”
Liam O’Dell: “The stage play does well to platform the pianist’s work, and there are whole segments of the production spent listening and appreciating his work in its entirety, but we get little sense of the man beyond this.”
The Reviews Hub: “There’s no denying the power of Szpilman’s story. Here, though, his terrifying journey plays more like a checklist of “and then this happened” than a story we live through alongside him. There’s much to admire in the craft, but the heart is missing.”
London Theatre.co.uk: “It is clear that a huge amount of love has been invested in this production. If it could shed some of the politeness and go up an octave with greater attack in its staging and storytelling, it would be a truly compelling piece of theatre.”
All That Dazzles: “That is not to say The Pianist is a bad show by any stretch – there are some solid moments to be found throughout, but the overall sense is that its identity has not quite been discovered yet, and the show could use a touch more tweaking so that every element is in tune.”
WhatsOnStage: “Holding it all together in a performance of subtle intensity and brooding melancholy is Krikler as Szpilman himself. With his nervy, restless body language and steady, haunted stare, he conveys not only the self-absorption of the artist but also the guilt of the survivor, and the sheer bewilderment of a man who is having trouble believing the sheer depth of the horrors surrounding him. It’s a slightly curious leading role, essential to the story yet simultaneously removed from it, passive almost, as he observes and remembers, but Krikler manages it superbly. Pianist Malcolm Forbes-Peckham serves, brilliantly, as a sort-of alter ego, taking to the keyboard whenever Wladyslaw plays.”
Theatre & Tonic: “Szpilman’s memoir encompasses so much that adapting it into a musical is an immensely challenging undertaking. Yet this production finds a distinctive form of its own. More than a conventional musical, it feels like a piece of history carved into a work of art. Though deeply personal, the production is ultimately shaped less by individual characterisation than by the weight of the historical moment and the world in which these lives unfolded. Behind these words and melodies, I felt as though I could glimpse the shadows of those who lived through that time.”
Musical Theatre Review: ” As tragic as it is that this story should still be urgent and timely when the horrible events depicted are still in living memory, sadly, that is the situation in which we find ourselves. This is a vital story, and a tearful standing ovation suggested it remains a powerful account of one of humanity’s darkest periods. An additional blessing is that those hearing it for the first time, will do so while also discovering Szpilman’s gorgeous musical compositions. The Pianist is an astounding work that will stick with its audience long after their journey home.”
The Arts Desk: “Szpilman’s extraordinary survival story is told with bare boards and minimal means.”
Theatre South East: “The Pianist is not an easy watch, but nor should it be. Krikler’s commanding performance, supported by a talented ensemble of actors and musicians, makes for intimate, heartbreaking storytelling.”
Broadway World: “While music is essential to Szpilman’s being, it almost feels like this show doesn’t believe it can be a successful musical. Szpilman’s score and the harmonies that it generates are undeniably beautiful. The words that have been superimposed, however, are instantly banal and repetitive. Furthermore, the songs don’t transport the action and become a mere afterthought.”
London Theatre Reviews.co.uk: “It is a moving show, exactly as it should be. A thoughtful, beautifully performed new musical that deserves to find its audience.”
The Standard: ” in the central role, Krikler has a fascinating, other-worldly manner, as if he’s experiencing events in real time and in recollection as part of a reverie or fugue state. The final number, Out of the Darkness, when he finally presses the ivory keys, expresses both his wonder and his guilt at surviving.”
The Stage: “Thom Southerland’s musical version of Wladyslaw Szpilman’s wartime survival story, starring Daniel Krikler, gives a touching, if strangely detached, impression of the horrors of Nazi occupation.”
To book tickets visit: https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/the-pianist/