Tag: Samantha Bond

The Memory Of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, Richmond Theatre, 28 November 1998

Very good.

That was our verdict. We like Shelagh Stephenson’s plays and this was a stellar cast including Samantha Bond, Julie Legrand, Alison Steadman and Julia Sawalha, directed by Terry Johnson.

Here is the Theatricalia entry for the production.

Our Richmond preview came just after it previewed at several other places. The Cambridge Evening News reviewed it thusly:

Memory Singer CambridgeMemory Singer Cambridge 27 Oct 1998, Tue Cambridge Evening News (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England) Newspapers.com

It transferred to the West End with considerable success, if I remember correctly.

Amy’s View by David Hare, Lyttelton Theatre, 23 August 1997

Superb.

That was my one word verdict on my log about this one.

Richard Eyre directing Samantha Bond, Eoin McCarthy, Ronald Pickup, Dame Judi and other excellent members of the cast – here is the Theatricalia entry for this play/production.

Our friend Michael Billington didn’t like it much:

Amy's Billington GuardianAmy’s Billington Guardian 23 Jun 1997, Mon The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Whereas Paul Taylor in the Indy quite liked it:

Amy's Taylor IndyAmy’s Taylor Indy 21 Jun 1997, Sat The Independent (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Charles Spencer in the Telegraph found it anti-climactic…

Amy Spencer TelegraphAmy Spencer Telegraph 21 Jun 1997, Sat The Daily Telegraph (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

…and Nicholas de Jongh in The Standard found it old-fashioned.

Amy's de Jongh StandardAmy’s de Jongh Standard 23 Jun 1997, Mon Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

So, only me and Janie rating it highly when it first came out then – but Amy’s View transferred to the West End and Broadway picking up Tony nominations and a New York Drama Critic’s award.