The Strange Death Of John Doe(Hampstead Downstairs)

Someone did mention in another post that s/he had gone and not been that impressed but I can't recall who it was. Maybe that person will now comment here? I booked through FOMO and then read an encouraging blog review, but the critics have been less wholehearted and I'm not wild about references to Annie Baker, whose work I've not seen but avoided as it sounds tedious to watch.

Yes, I did go to a preview but didn't write a review/posting about it because I wasn't keen and didn't know how much of that was due to it being an early performance. I like to support emerging writers and I have heard good things about Fiona Doyle's other work, but this seemed all over the place. Full of stereotypes and unbelievable dialogue. It's particularly disappointing because I believe it was full of good intentions and, in the (free) programme provided, they make clear that this production received an extraordinary amount of support - an early commission, a full week's development workshop with director and choreographer, special sponsorship, a larger than usual cast....We spoke to a few others at the interval who weren't enjoying it either - but it may have improved.

BTW, I like Annie Baker. This didn't strike me as Baker-ish at all. She's full or wry humour and closely observed details. This was relentlessly serious and largely non-naturalistic.

It was you, foxa!  Sorry, I couldn't remember and actually, the Annie Baker comparison I'd seen mentioned was possibly to Utility at the Orange Tree instead, so apologies for that, too.  I also like to support new writing; plus I've generally found plays/productions at Hampstead Downstairs far more consistently good and worthwhile than upstairs, so if this one is not up there with the rest, it's a shame it's the first to which critics are invited - i.e. rather than going anyway but unofficially, as bloggers have always done.