Downstate - National Theatre

Just seen the play tonight.

Can't overstate how wonderful this is. Yes, it's a bit heavy at times but the acting is tremendous and the story is compelling.

Possibly the best play I've seen in the Dorfman and hopefully it transfers.

Possible Olivier/Evening Standard winner.

After watching today’s matinee, I’m in total agreement with the thoughts of the posts above. This is an absolutely fantastic piece of theatre, both in the quality of writing (which was both totally engaging and very thought provoking both during the play and post show) and the acting from the entire cast (which is top drawer stuff for the entire 2hrs).

Sat in the pit area A7 so front and centre was an absolute steal at £28. Despite the ticket saying restricted view, I didn’t feel that this was the case at all as the stage isn’t particularly high and the set is on a single level so nothing is missed. I also got the luxury of having ample leg room in front of me which was very nice.

I was really surprised at how much humour was within the writing with some great one liners helped to balance out the more darker elements of the text. Certainly it isn’t an easy watch due to the nature of the subject material, with Act 2 in my opinion being the stronger of the 2 Acts as the impact the abuse is played out on stage.

If I had one criticism of the writing, it would be the meeting between Andy and Fred. The way it was done I felt wouldn’t happen in a real situation, but apart from that I couldn’t fault the writing.

The programme notes are worth having a read of pre-show to give you a bit more info about the legal handling of child abuse in the U.S.

I think this is one of those plays that will live long in the memory and the Dorfmann theatre has got another hit on its hands here. Hopefully this production will get some recognition in future awards nights as it deserves to win something for an absolutely brilliant piece of drama. 4*

Not sure if the National are doing late releases of these but the "flip-down" seats at the ends of rows in the pit are on sale for both of Saturday's performances for £18.

So I caught this today and I have to say I was mightily impressed with some aspects whilst thinking that other parts could be tweaked a little. Superbly written and performed as mentioned by most of the previous people in this thread and I can only echo this. The writing in particular is a dream and quite sublime in what it does, I have yet to read my programme but will be fascinated to see what the author drew from. I was reminded a little of Sweat in that the dialogue felt so real and true, it felt drawn from life.

Some of the detailling was exquisite from the nauseating 'inspirational' poster on the back wall to the fire extinguisher and information by the kitchen, all whilst pretending this was a 'home'. Bravo to set designer or author whoever came up with this.

I am not sure how much of what I write to put under a 'spoiler' tag so just be warned if you haven't seen this yet I may mention things you don't want to know.

As somebody who worked with sexual offenders for 15 years I can state that Norris totally nailed the personality types, behaviours and attitudes. I have been in a room or a cell with almost exact replicas of the four men presented in the play. Whether intentional or not he also presented a good range of offenders across the spectrum of denial of their behaviour. He only missed off the fully repentant which may be due to it being dramatically uninteresting or because sadly it is quite rare and denial is a more pronounced trait. The character of the victim seems to have been where people felt the play lacked in this thread, I think possibly too much was given to this character and he was presenting the whole range of behaviours that victims can exhibit, whereas the perpetrators were spread across four people. Again I have seen what was presented in real life victims, who often have so many conflicting feelings
The scene with Fred & Andy in the second act where Fred is using the music from the past to control Andy's thoughts and feelings, utter brilliance

Certainly in the UK you are not able to access details of where an offender lives so blatantly so the confrontation between them would probably be managed better and with a Victim Liasion Officer, Probation Officer or restorative justice worker present. I also don't think we have the style of 'group homes' over here which seem common in the States for this and other purposes; we do have hostels/approved premises here but somebody couldn't just rock up like the victim did here. I also thought the world weary probation officer and the entitled milennial friend were very well sketched out by the author.
In the UK, the friend wouldn't be yelling about 'safe space' but would be talking about 'infringing human rights'


The one thing I didn't think worked was the wife character of Andy, her role either needed to be bumped up considerably or excised, am not sure she brought anything to the play at all. Nothing against the actress, I just don't think she had enough to work with.

And that DAWG!


It was quite a hip almost Young Vic type audience, lots of young men with trousers too short for them (poor lambs must be short of cash to have to wear hand me downs) and young ladies with hair in all shades of the speculum (thank you Ms Wood). I did think that some of the laughter, despite it being a very funny play in parts, was inappropriate though. Difficult to know if that was due to discomfort from those laughing.


Some people have mentioned that the men who'd offended were presented as not too creepy or words to that effect. I guess having worked with people like this I may be better able to seperate the person from the acts and to see them as people and also predators. But all four of those men were highly dangerous and would be classed as 'high risk'. You have a befuddled old man using his age and affability to continue to deny his acts [Fred), another who still characterises his abuse after 20 + years as a 'relationship' (Dee), another contacting his familial victim covertly (Felix) and the classic minimiser who blames the victim and also thinks he is somehow 'not as bad' as he rest (Gio). I'd be seriously concerned about anybody I was working with presenting with behaviours quite so blatant!!

Glad to here this, I've got Row L seats for Friday.

I haven't seen the play, and I think this is it's first airing, but there is a programme on BBC4 at 10pm tonight that may put some flesh on the bone.

I saw the matinee today and I can't really add anything to what mallardo , Steve and missthelma said: it's a beautifully written, acted and directed play, upsetting and thrilling at the same time. It might not be perfect, but it's one of the best new pieces of writing I've seen in a long while. And as always foxa is right, reviews here are more understanding and nuanced than the ones you read in the press.

I don't think it will but I'd love this to transfer into Trafalgar Studios 1.

I think I agree with you.

This was splendid. One of those theatre experiences where the acting is so good and the play so absorbing that you sort of emerge blinking into the night trying to adjust to “real life” afterwards, as it has transported you to somewhere else completely for the duration. Lovely also to hear young people next to me discussing the issues next to me in such a passionate reasonable way...sometimes the youngsters give me such hope for the future!
Front row seats are a bargain....great legroom, low stage and stage well organised so you can see everything.
I liked the ending.

I'm choosing a ticket for this for the matinee on April 27 and would be grateful for some advice.

My options are Pit H13, K10, L33, M31 or Circle N43.

I would normally go for H13 as the closest to the stage but as I'm only 5'7" I was slightly concerned by a note on the monkey's site

that the rake is very shallow.