the West End's most shocking play? | ★★★★★ review of PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS starring Denise Gough

[@bellabeanbag7]

Just watched it on National Theater at Home and thought it was brilliant. I normally find it a bit difficult to get into a play when watching at home, but for this i was hooked from the statt. Denise's performance was fantastic. Loooved the staging and set design.

[@ryebread9299]

Can’t wait to watch this evening on NTL AT HOME

[@dylansmith1833]

Creating any type of emotional trauma on stage is not easy and when it’s done properly, it can be incredibly hard to watch from the audience and it can also take a toll on the actor portraying the character in question. Curious if this was more intense than Prima Facie.

[@gillyuk1013]

I saw this the first time around (but not this time yet) and for me it was far more than Prima Facie. This is thoughtful and when you leave you feel like it's living under your skin. I was thinking about it for weeks. Prima Facie seemed like someone had fired a starting pistol and it was a race to get to the end.

[@EyeGlassTrainofMind]

I appreciate your thoughtfulness in taking your time to talking about this piece and I also am very glad that you give content disclosures and agree that they are incredibly useful. I've not seen People, Places, & Things yet, but your review has brought it to my attention and the next opportunity I get (if I have one), I hope to go and see it. Thanks Mickey Jo!

[@threewisewomentheatreco3460]

I saw it last week and it was stunning. Denise Gough was outstanding.

[@grahamturner288]

Thanks Mickey - your thoughts and experience of the play mirrored mine very closely. I saw the play last week for the first time and knowing very little going in. I was also lucky enough to nab a front row seat so it was a thrill to see Denise’s performance up close. She gives an absolutely full-bodied performance, but never in an ‘acting’ way, as you say. The intensity reminded me a little of Comer in Prima Facie although and Piper in Yerma. The ‘sensory’ elements of the staging really added to the experience. It reminded me somewhat of the NT’s Curious Incident… which I also loved. The production as a whole is so exceptionally well written and put together: it absolutely feels like a complete piece with nothing wasted. There’s a lot of ideas in Emma’s musings that leave you with a lot to think about afterwards. I think this is one of the greatest pieces of theatre I’ve been lucky to see. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it and have already booked a repeat visit towards the end of the run.

[@Shae29]

I’ve loved Denise since angels in America, and I’m so so happy that she’s back on stage! ❤❤❤

[@jane_hamlet]

I saw the original performance and my reaction was similar to yours - absolutely blown away, and thinking about it for days after. Not least wondering how Denise Gough does that at every performance. Absolutely the greatest live performance I've ever seen. xx

[@PianolaEnterprises]

you are very talented......keep going

[@johnnytheslider]

Went last night. Still processing it . Wow.

[@Raulgermont]

Hope it will come to New York!

[@ryebread9299]

Shocking!? You had me at the first word Mickey.

[@ryebread9299]

SPOILERS: I feel like an absolute fool for missing her mom calling her Rachel at the end.

[@timandhisvoices]

I had to rewind (watching at NTatHome) when I first heard it. It was such a small thing that really hammered in her inability to accept or be honest with herself and others. I loved it.

[@chuckoneill2023]

There is definitely some valid criticism of "12 step" programs, especially the reliance on religious dogma. But, honestly, I think it's very superficial to conflate the group therapy process with the rehearsal process. Acting is all about pretense; any person who genuinely wants to overcome addiction has to really change. I recommend "St. Mary Blue" by Barry Longyear. Mr. Longyear, himself a recovering addict, understands the process on a very visceral level. Within his novel (I hope someone adapts it to stage someday) there are very different outcomes for those who really accept the need to change, as opposed to those who just learn to repeat the dogma.

[@markdaly1903]

when densise gough read the script for the play it was her life staring back at her. she was 15 when she left home 16 when she ended in london on her own. a child but an absolute mess. she likes playing very dark roles. she is the villain in Andor. i have not seen it but she very dark and icy.

[@alyzu4755]

Did you happen to see "Ophelia's Zimmer" at the Royal Court in 2016? It was quite disturbing, in a good way. ☺️

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

I think triggering advisory before purchasing a ticket is definitely needed. I was at the theatre for Romeo & Juliet and the loud disturbing music & sounds pre show was incredibly triggering and I had to leave the theatre within minutes without seeing the show as I found it overwhelming, autistic or neuro sensitive people would not cope with the pre show let alone the show, I did not book to see A little life because of its abuse theme same with prima facie. So triggering advisory before purchase a definite, thank you for saying this as I was booked to see People… and will definitely not go.

[@nathalielafrance8223]

Any chance you’ll be seeing Closer to Heaven @ the Turpine?

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Saw it last night!

[@nathalielafrance8223]

@@MickeyJoTheatre 😀 I look forward to your review!

[@garethcotterell9698]

Have you watched Billie Piper in Yerma. Her best work and so intense and frightening.

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Missed it but have been meaning to watch the recording on NT at Home forever!!!

[@Hpierrenyc]

@@MickeyJoTheatreI saw it in nyc and met Billie! So great.

[@eleanorboswell5224]

I love you Micky Jo, you are my favourite person

[@curtisrobinson7962]

More favorite than, Oprah? Wow.

[@carlito876]

This one would hit too close to home for me so I appreciate trigger warnings. It sounds very centered on the main character but i would be very careful judging the parental characters. Having someone in your life dealing with drug or alcohol issues can be a devastating, traumatic, no win life scaring experience. But then i have not seen it….

[@faye.elizabeth]

I kind of loved it and hated it.

[@MichaelDeRossi16]

God! I couldn't disagree more. I saw this 2 weeks ago and thought it was dreadful. The scene where they were telling their stories in the round. I thought it would never end

[@LynnHermione]

This does not sound interesting at all. why would you feel betrayed because an actress was using an artistic name? and also what's the point of a whole play that ends with shitty abusive parents being shitty and abusive. plays like this are just pretentious angst fests. pointless nonsense

[@RosieG9012]

Cool? Don’t see it then

[@MichaelDeRossi16]

I agree Lynn. My wife said exactly the same thing when we saw it. Like "THATS a big twist??? That she was using a fake name???.....WOW (I'm being sarcastic saying wow obviously) It was a case of emperors new clothes if I'm honest. I couldn't see what the fuss was about. Pretentious

[@Hpierrenyc]

I saw it in nyc. One of the best things I have seen. Thank god @stannswarehouse brought it here.