Ulster American w/ Serkis & Harrelson - Riverside Studios

I saw this last evening. It started a bit late and was longer than the 90 minutes stated. I haven´t seen any of Ireland´s plays before and I was not impressed with this one.

I don´t think it is a good play. If it wasn´t for the actors, the three of them really good, I don´t think I would have stayed until the end. Reading comments here I was expecting some wild, dark comedy and I didn´t find that. I laughed a few times but found the play going in circles and not advancing much.

I don´t want to say much so I don´t ruin for other people but with the friend I attended we could come up with a better ending and other alternatives that would make it far more interesting. To make it a better play they should cut some stuff and make bolder choices.

It feels like they should be paying David Mamet royalties for this, it's pure Mamet straight through.

You wonder about the development of the project because it's a play which would only work with bona fide star power in the lead but it's not strong enough material to be confident it will attract that kind of star.

Not sure if it would be preferable to see Woody Harrelson in a proper play or in this one where he really gets to chew the scenery. It's a surprisingly thankless role for Andy Serkis, it's somewhat surprising he would take this on.

You will enjoy yourself if you go in expecting nothing more than a star vehicle, and Harrelson has tangible star power. I would say he's great value but I've seen the prices they are trying to charge.

It was a hit at the Fringe 8 years ago without any name actors. It was a little more vicious then, but woody harrelson's role is enhanced by having an actual star in it for sure

Pity anyone who paid more than £30 to sit on the crappiest flip down seats with no arm rests and no incline

What a joke of a venue and venture

How funny they reduce all leftover seats to £30 on the day

I hope no one paid £130 for this 😮

Since this was announced I had been very excited to see this and it did not disappoint at all.

I would have to say this is one of the best casts I've seen all year as they all are so perfectly cast and give such great performances. Woody Harrelson was a delight to watch as eccentric and overbearing Hollywood actor. I personally loved his clowning and physical comedy, especially the various eating and drinking gags. I know it was written a few years ago but he just seems like such a perfect fit for the role that I can't imagine anyone else doing it.

Andy Serkis was also very believable as the director and I particularly thought his drunk acting was very funny, his cheeks seemed to go red in his drunken state. I have always thought he has been somewhat overlooked as an actor when he is not in CGI.

Louisa Harland is on the same level as these two Hollywood actors here really playing a believable writer who is blunt and sure of herself but also naked the more serious moments. All three had such a great chemistry and knew perfectly how to pitch their parts.

David Ireland's play itself is definitely not for the easily offended, even people who aren't easily offended might be in shock. There are so many laugh out loud moments and many others where I felt people laughing around me while I sat taking the shocking jokes in. I was truly invested in the world that was created even though for some the heightened situations and characters might not gel. I would say this is a great companion piece to Cyprus Avenue with many similar themes and a lot to think on. It is easily one of my highlights of the year!

I also enjoyed this a lot - I don't understand the criticism of this theatre, I felt the opposite and really liked it. the seat was no more uncomfortable than many West End venues, and I dare say, better because there is a decent rake and space between seats (unlike other theatres where I've felt squished on both sides and being short, I often to peer through people's heads to see the stage). The play itself was funny, the acting really convincing from all three of them. I was wondering what a Northern Irish person would think of some parts of this, as some of the jokes are quite shocking but I know it was on purpose. Overall I liked this and already recommended to people.

This was a riot this afternoon: came for David Ireland, stayed for the show.

Lovely ebb and flow between Serkis and Harrelson before Ruth arrives (Louisa Harland: familiar to some as Agnes in the NT’s recent Dancing at Lughnasa, or Derry Girls). Then the pace picks up seamlessly.

Very fun range of physical comedy, lashings of parody and satire to skewer all concerned (all three playing members of social tribes they won’t be unfamiliar with)

This is peak David Ireland, imo; broader, more layered, as hard as ever, using his brand of absurdism more surgically. Cast doing him full justice.

Amusement and laughter sprinkled throughout – some great one-liners - followed by fully deserved SO.

Wondered why this wasn’t at the Royal Court or similar. Maybe it will be ..

You are 100% correct. I saw this on the 30th December and at the end of it Woody Harrelson said his schedule only cleared because of the writer's strike and all the major venues in London were already taken at the time

It was my first time visiting Riverside studios and apart from the chairs, I didn't think it was a bad venue at all. Hopefully Harland, Harrelson and Serkis don't regret signing up for this. I definitely didn't regret attending

The layout varies. For Tarantino Live recently it was a combination of individual seats at round tables, cabaret style at the front with rows of seats behind and at the sides. At other times it has been just the traditional rows of seating.

Yes, there is a Studio 3. I think it best to look at the seating on a show by show basis. Last time I was in Studio 2 it was a fixed structure of rows of seating all joined together with much more of a rake than in an average theatre setting. But that seating was obviously for assembly and then removal. I wouldn't like to rely on things being the same next time.

No expectations, as I knew nothing of the play, and had a good long thought about paying the asking prices but... what the heck, still cheaper than the lunch at the River Cafe which preceded today's matinee.

I knew the venue so had no illusions about it but, although the seats are far from comfortable and the bar staff were engaged in a potentially dangerous civil war amongst themselves, the sight lines were pretty good.

As for the play, I loved it. It was very funny, at times grotesquely so (bit Ortonesque at times) but still dealt in interesting subjects and themes, getting away with it because, after all, it's only a comedy. I hear what some people say about violence and offense but, to me, the theatre should not always be a safe place and a safe space. People around me do all sorts of things which I could choose to find offensive every day of my life but I generally don't take it, especially when it's not directed at me. Even Only Fools and Horses has a trigger warning these days.

Loved the acting. Andy Serkis does the get short straw here a bit, his pompous self-serving theatre director is more often than not reacting to the two other characters. Luisa Harland is very good as the stubborn playwright but Woody Harrelson, an actor whose career has largely passed me by, is (to me) a revelation in his portrayal of the arrogant, ignorant and self-important caricature of an actor.

For once, a merited standing ovation.