The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Stephen Beresford’s The Last of The Haussmans at the National Theatre

Stephen Beresford’s The Last of The Haussmans at the National Theatre | Theatre review
3 August 2012
Sarah Milton
Avatar
Sarah Milton
3 August 2012

Stephen Beresford debuts his writing, which anyone would agree is a feat in itself. A fitting piece to follow the likes of Love, Love, Love by Mike Bartlett at The Royal Court, it addresses the hippy culture of the 60s and 70s and how it has affected the lives of the generation to follow.

“The only thing to be in life is a rebel.”

Julie Walters eccentrically embodies Judy Haussman’s freeness and sense of play entirely, and owns the magically designed stage. Vicki Mortimer has perfectly captured the essence of home and slightly organised chaos and calamity. The torn bunting and the flickering string of coloured lightbulbs symbolises perfectly what havoc the sexual revolution created, but also the beauty of its plight for free expression. It’s a real spectacle.

The sexual tension between the entire cast is credible: perfectly timed and naturally eye-catching, which is a nod to Howard Davies who, as one of the National’s stalwarts, has created a strong, artistically joyous ensemble.

The chemistry between mother and children – Walters, Helen McCrory (Libby) and Rory Kinnear (Nick) – is delightful and the balance created between the comedic one-liners and sombre, dutiful monologues are pretty much bang on. McCrory’s struggle between her sexually confident upbringing and moral obligations to her daughter are delivered powerfully after her one-off embrace with their neighbour, teenager and pool boy, Daniel (Taron Egerton). The raspy, smoky voice quality McCrory possesses is so rough and ready, it’s addictive to listen to.

The cast drove the piece fluidly, and I hope it continues to do so with non-complacency to ensure a fantastic run.

★★★★★

Sarah Milton

The Last of the Haussmans is at the National Theatre until 10th October 2012. for further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here. 

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre

★★★★★
Jim Compton-Hall
Read More

My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

“When you’re presented with different dilemmas in life, you respond accordingly”: Debbie Kurup on The Cher Show

Mae Trumata
Read More

2:22 A Ghost Story at Criterion Theatre

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

The House of Shades at Almeida Theatre

★★★★★
Csilla Tornallyay
Read More

Grease at Dominion Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

House of Ife at Bush Theatre

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

Banter Jar at Lion & Unicorn Theatre: “An authentic and timely one-woman show”

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Albert Adrià reopens Enigma on 7 June as a “fun-dining” restaurant and cocktail bar
    Food & Drinks
  • The Road Dance
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Paolo Nutini at the 100 Club
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Crimes of the Future: Three new clips from David Cronenberg’s dystopian body horror film
    Cannes
  • The Innocents
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Marcel!
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Enys Men
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • The Stranger
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic at the British Museum
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Eo (Hi-Han)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Keyhole | Movie review
National Youth Music Theatre’s Songs for a New World at the Bridewell Theatre | Theatre review