We thought this was:
Very good.
But I can find precious little on it from the theatre press. Try this clipping from The Standard, as that’s about as good as it gets, review/preview-wise.
It was very good, because we say so.
Tag: Thomas Bernhard
The Showman by Thomas Bernhard, Almeida Theatre, 12 June 1993
Janie and I both thought this play/production was very good.
Alan Bates was a superb actor and was espececially suited to this role. The supporting cast were excellent under Jonathan Kent’s expert direction.
Below is Michael Billington’s judgment on the piece:
Billington On the Showman Wed, May 19, 1993 – 26 · The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.com
Michael Coveney was also very keen on this play/production:
Michael Coveney On The Showman Sun, May 23, 1993 – 64 · The Observer (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.com
Janie and I still say “my dear child” in the gnarley style that Alan Bates delivered that phrase in this production.
This was our first visit to the Almeida together and I have a feeling we ran into my NewsRevue friend Ivan Shakespeare on this occasion and indeed on more than one of our first few occasions at the Almeida. Ivan was a volunteer there and I think he did Saturday evenings whenever he could.