John Nathan

“Yet co-director Kirsty Housley fails to prevent McDermott from turning his homage to Glass and theatre making into a self-indulgent affair.”

“It is is a stunningly multi-layered performance and is supported by a faultless cast.”

“What’s left is a gripping play and, while not quite reaching the heights of Spacey and Goldblum, some terrific performances.”

“Served by the deadpan working classes as if they are fattening up their employers before slaughter, Gorky’s bourgeoisie are an irredeemably self-pitying bunch who complain about the shallowness of life yet do nothing to deepen it.”

“The show is a mesmerising sight.”

“Carrie Cracknell's sure-footed production is beautifully acted, particularly by Seamus Dillane who as Thomasina's Eton-educated tutor Septimus slowly has his aloof arrogance eroded by the superior intelligence of his pupil.”

“This plucky, inventive new production certainly deserves to end up on Broadway.”

“Lipkin’s Fagin is not only the culmination (so far) of a terrific career in musical theatre, he is indisputably and joyously the best reason to buy a ticket.”

“Those who know what they like, like what they know and are sure that hip hop isn’t their thing will only have themselves to blame for missing a show that feels as if it has moved the musical form on and up a notch or two.”