🎭 The Visit 🎭 National Theatre Review Olivier Theatre Hugo Weaving Lesley Manville

[@Burreearden02]

Just seen the 3 and half hour version today (Lesley Manville's birthday no less) and I've got to say it zipped along! Manville has one of the best stage entrances ever! Hugo Weaving was brilliant.

[@crewcut4]

I saw this show on its opening night of previews, Friday, Jan. 31. I may have liked it a bit more than you two did, being an ex-literature instructor at university. But I do agree that the chance to see two major stars in Lesley Manville and Hugo Weaving go toe-to-toe onstage at the Olivier Theatre in a modern classic was more than worth the admission price. I came out after four-plus hours actually exhilarated. Also, at around 9:30 that evening, the line in which one of the townspeople admonishes Lesley Manville's character concerning what she is doing because "we're not in Europe here" earned an extra bit of nervous/ironic laughter (followed by cheers from the audience) coming as it did a mere 2.5 hours before Brexit kicked in. All in all, it is a production that I will remember fondly for a very long time. One small correction though: the setting is not in the American south--it is in rural upstate New York, a whole other culture entirely.

[@matineemikeh9700]

Cheap and filthy innuendo! Keep it up I love it! I had tickets for this but I've had to return them. Lesley Manville never disappoints and I had a feeling that Hugo Weaving wouldn't either. Gutted to miss their performances. P.S. - I howled when you said "The Nash!" haha.

[@WarDeeGuy]

I was hoping this review would help me to decide whether to catch this, but the mixed response has left me still mulling it over. Hugo Weaving was the biggest draw for me, so it's great to hear that his performance is so strong. Speaking of which, I caught Death of England in the Dorfman today, and oh boy!! If you can get to see it, I can't recommend it enough. Rafe Spall absolutely owns the piece and the content itself is equally challenging, provocative, funny, angering, bewildering, heart-breaking and yet somehow still captivating and entertaining. It's a powerhouse of a show and a real 'state of the nation' piece.

[@deanfields5242]

Hello guys I hope you had a great time keep up the great work you do

[@shloopy5]

3 halves whaaaaa.

[@David-pt8ge]

I will probably see it, mainly because of Lesley Manville. But I have heard mixed things, my colleague seemed to really want to like it, but she seemed a bit disappointed with it.

[@TheDavidConstable]

The good news: It is now down to 3.5 hours inc 2 intervals (20 min interval & 10 min pause). The bad news: It is still far too long. At least 30 mins more needs to be cut. The 1st act is the biggest problem. Sooooo slow and ponderous. Yes you have to setup the situation and characters, but it lost this audience member early on. I saw a Sat Matinee and was nodding off by 1.30 pm. It's always a bad sign when I'm regularly checking my watch through a show. The Olivier can be a difficult space to fill and the huge overhead walkway is a clever bit of design which helps contain the vertical space (and perhaps exaggerate the depth) for this production. But as it is only used briefly by the cast in the short (30 min) 2nd act I'm guessing any other action involving it must have been cut. As you said, all the elements are there, but it just doesn't work as it stands. Good production of a poor script. I'm with Nathan on this one. 2 stars max.

[@NicoleG2810]

There's been a musical adaptation of "The Visit" in Austria 5 years ago, if you prefer a shorter version 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bouQlISAp7mLgJY