The Country Girl Reviews

ELIZABETH CRANE from UK

THE COUNTRY GIRL

I saw this production in Bath (at the Theatre Royal) a couple of weeks ago. It was excellently staged and performed and the capacity audience clearly enjoyed it as much as I did. The cast worked well together and the lead actors demonstrated genuine chemistry throughout. Martin Shaw was particularly good in his role - drawing the eye to him whenever he was on the stage. A really great evening out...

Anonymous from Anytown, AT 55555

GREAT DRAMA

I have seen this drama 4 times since it has been touring the country and it is excellent. Every cast member has been wonderful in their roles. Martin Shaw especially is outstanding as Frank Elgin. I hope to come to London to see it again during its run.

An on y mo us from Anytown, AT 55555

FIVE TICKETS POSSIBLY SIX SAY IT ALL

I've seen the play twice in Richmond in August, am coming again in November and in January. Martin Shaw is brilliant and so is Jenny Seagrove, but the minor characters are not to be forgotten, including Luke, son of Martin. As usual even a one-man show involves many and far too many are forgotten in favour of the stars. Though a long-time fan of Mr Shaw I find it a pity critics concentrate on his American accent, he's British in case you had forgotten! A must see!

Jason Armitage from UK

A LESSON IN OBJECTIVITY (MS WINSKILL).

It is regrettable that Maureen Winskill feels the need to use this forum to promulgate her palpably biased and grossly inaccurate views, (I'm half expecting the next review to read, 'little Marky Warky was the best and everyone else was rubbish', posted by his mum!). I'm sure her son and Mark shared halcyon days rubbing along together in the classroom, but she should perhaps remove those rose tinted specs to permit a little objectivity and balance. The Country Girl is a class act with class actors. Seagrove and Shaw command the stage with engaging authority and pathos. Letheren does indeed do well, but it would give anyone a false impression of this show to single him out above anyone else in any way. We enjoyed the same production in Brighton hugely and would recommend any theatre lovers to catch this show in town and to ignore those with an agenda to mislead their expectation of this powerful piece.

Caroline from cheshire

BREATH TAKING

I saw The Country Girl in Leeds. I felt it was riveting from the curtain up. I cant understand peoples comments about the accents or Jenny being wooden. She was meant to be a downtrodden wife who had almost given up. I also disagree about comments about Martin Shaw always being Martin Shaw. I feel he brings an individuality and his own brand of magic to every part he plays, and his protrayal of Frank Elgin was superb. It was obvious that he lives his roles, and there were times I held my breath. When he was supposed to almost breakdown when the truth came out, I found I couldn't breath. The whole cast was magnificent, and I would see the play as often as possible.I wish the whole cast the very best and hope they have long successful run

Margaret Morley from UK

THE COUNTRY GIRL. AN ACTORS WORLD BACK STAGE.

It's not The Professionals, but the audience get the chance to see acting at its best. Martin Shaw plays the lead. Well known for starring in the above TV series with co-actor Lewis Collins, where they played two sexy plain clothed policemen. The latter has been reported as, "missing in action", with reference to any recent acting appearances. It's difficult not to mention LAMDA trained Martin's more recent astounding appearance in Shakespeare's, "A Man For All Season's". In his current play one is moved to have genuine concern for the character that he plays; he plays an actor. A well cast co-star Jenny Seagrave plays his wife. Without checking the programme, it seemed to be set in the 1950s in America. The setting was backstage in a theatre. The production, was poor, it could have been much more glamorous. It was so bad that you just have to go to the show to see it. The play also includes a brief insight into the life of a writer. All in all a nice old time play.

Owen Phillips from Surrey England

SHAW IN DRAMATICALLY GOOD FORM AND SEAGRAVE TOO

I saw The Country Girl at the Apollo, Piccadilly last night and the acting was mesmerising. The Play is a first rate example of British actors at their finest. It is for the likes of this that top class actors return to the stage. Martin Shaw made a difficult role totally absorbing, and Jenny was fantastic too. In fact the whole cast did a great job and the proximity of the stage changes was interesting to watch too. A first rate story and script too. Owen

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