Cellmates by Simon Gray at Hampstead

Sorry for claiming it was a two-hander. Simon Gray is not my specialist subject.

Disappointing to read this, Phantom of London, but I have seen some favourable reviews and still plan to see this, since I've already booked and for me, as for many, this is the first opportunity to see this play.

As for the programming, it might be a bit hit-and-miss in the main house at present (I loved Slaves Of Solitude), but I don't think this venue has ever chosen anything intended to be fun or uplifting for Xmas/New Year - or not that I've noticed. In fact, whilst I've enjoyed many of the plays I've seen at Hampstead Theatre over the years, few, if any, would fall into that category.

And please, whilst Ayckbourn has his fans - indeed, I am one myself, depending on the play - I honestly don't think anyone needs yet another revival of those 3 much-performed works in particular. Something else from his considerable back catalogue, perhaps, but I still don't think he's really a good fit for this theatre.

Now there's an interesting point - or two:  firstly, though in reverse order, whist I liked Hapgood and Wild Honey, surely the scheduling was coincidental and unrelated to the season?  I simply don't think they pay any attention to it in the main house, unless they deliberately ignore it, but it comes to the same thing.

Secondly, ah, but can Hampstead do Christmas?  Perhaps wait until you've seen Mother Christmas, then decide - or maybe reconsider?  I think they were fortunate in being able to programme Christmas-related plays in the smaller space both this year and last, and I won't comment on Mother Christmas until you've seen it, but I look forward to hearing your thoughts and sharing mine.

I would tend to agree, if this has actually sold well, but ticket sales have been very poor. Nothing wrong with Hampstead doing Ayckbourn, one of our most famous and renowned playwrights and will sell much more tickets, the National did The Magistrate several seasons ago, just thinking of something in a similar vein, or even a Broadway transfer of a play, but not some poor mediocre play.

Enjoyed this, definitely worth seeing and difficult to see why it was so badly received first time around. Possibly casting two people best known as comedians raised the wrong expectations as to what sort of play it is?

Personally I'm glad not all theatres put on Christmassy fare at this time of year. And given a lot of Hampstead's core audience is from the local Jewish community its not surprising they choose not to!

Just about ok to watch but slight and morally objectionable to me. I can't understand the extent of the obsession with scumbags like Blake. He wasn't even a glamorous spy just a dirty, little civil servant gone wrong. Look forward to reading his obituary soon.

The cast did a decent job but I do wonder at the taste of the Laurel and Hardy KGB agents (funny as they were) and the way a character is put on stage after having done evil deeds - which we don;t see and only hear about in passing - in slippers and dressing-down. all homely and Pantaloonish. What are we expected to do? Feel his pain? Forgive him for what he doesn't regret? Pah!

A very fidgety audience. Things falling, crunchings and munchings, zippers opening and closing, some snores. The two women in front of me seemed to be suffering from St. Vitus Dance.

I saw this play on Dec 20 and enjoyed it as I’m into the genre of espionage. I can see why this play isn’t for everyone as it has a few dull moments. Just a quick note, before the play had started, two women had tried to tuck into some take away Chinese food. The man sitting next to them approached an usher asking to be moved. The manager came out and spoke with them. I wonder what decision process goes on in people’s heads to think that this is acceptable.