Barcelona Reviews

C Bebbington from Hampshire

BARCELONA

The 2 actors hold the stage for 90 minutes. They received a standing ovation from the audience the night I saw it 3rd night. The story is sexy, abrasive, heartbreaking… and funny. Honestly it is a total surprise. Lily has real star quality and is heartbreaking, funny, annoying, vulnerable and sweet and moves effortlessly between these different sides of character. Morte is gruff,gentle , aggressive, damaged soul .But you dont get any of this to begin with, it moves cleverly to a very different story. The chemistry between them is palpable. Dont look at the reviews of the play when it was first performed in the US as these 2 actors elevate it to a memorable story of human struggle. I loved it and love plays that end up in a very different place to expectation , very tense at the end I really hope these 2 get the positive reviews they deserve, they make watchable stage presences Sound engineers please turn up the sound a touch for us older ( 64) theatregoers. Duke of Yorks is a beautiful intimate setting for an intimate play .

Erick P. from London, England

CONVOLUTED PLOT HINDERS THE PLAY

The Play does not know if it’s s comedy of a political statement on how Americans are self centered. Maybe because it was the first night, Morte was a bit stiff, not natural on stage. In a way the genre bending play did not work for me, and sometimes even cringeworthy. Many people around me were constantly checking their phones, not engaged in the play. It dragged a bit. A good 20 minutes could had been cut of it.

Mia Zeno from London, England

HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB OR THE WEST END?

Nostalgia is such a beautiful thing. Barcelona with Lily Collins and Alvaro Morte brought me right back to my high school improv class. From the second Collins assaulted the stage in her bedazzled, Taylor Swift-esque jumpsuit, I knew I was in for a ride over the next hour and forty minutes. I get it, they were attempting to convey an annoying American, but how on the nose could you possibly be? This seemed to be the theme for the rest of the night—whether it was the drawn-out sob story monologues, the attempted political discourse, or right down to the low-budget set design. The whole thing reminded me of a grade school production. Collins couldn’t seem to let go of her Netflix hit, Emily in Paris. Maybe the nepo baby was waiting for the director to yell "cut" or to be saved by a camera angle, but she is not made for the live stage. Morte should consider his role exactly that—dead. With his co-star, he could only get so far. Just when he started to get into the flow, his counterpart would bring the audience right back down to earth. By the end of Barcelona, I wasn’t just hoping for an early curtain call—I was mentally drafting this very review. How a production with two household names could feel like a high school dress rehearsal is beyond me. Nostalgia’s great, but this felt more like a trip to detention. If you're looking for depth, wit, or even mild amusement, you're better off strolling down the street to Mrs. Doubtfire. This play? A reminder that not every star shines off-screen.

Sarah Thaomas from London, England

DISAPPOINTING AFTER THE PR

The storyline could be interesting but I dont know - it just didnt click for me. Stage and acting ok but I guess I could have spent 90 minutes having fun and interest elsewhere. It just didnt sit well with me and others I am sure. There are better plays but not many current sadly. Cant recommend. Husband felt the same and couldnt wait till ending!

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