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Benedict Nightingale in
The Times
5 March 2003
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"[Strindberg's] mad-eyed ghost should be delighted with Sean Mathias's
revival. . . . Ian McKellen, balefully partnered by a sour, wintry Frances
de la Tour, draws on whatever powered his Macbeth and his Iago — and
gives a performance to match each."

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Michael Billington in
The Guardian
5 March 2003
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"McKellen in one of his finest performances . . . Frances De La Tour
matches him perfectly . . . "

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Charles Spencer in
The Telegraph
5 March 2003
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"[Director] Sean Mathias's production never puts a foot wrong. .
. McKellen's Captain, his voice a gravelly growl, marvellously portrays
both the character's ingenious cruelty and his vulnerability. . . The
scene in which he arrives is a masterpiece of comic cruelty. . . De
La Tour is equally fine, combining cold fury with a raddled sensuality. .
. This is a tremendous production of an unarguably great play. Conquer
whatever resistance you may have and surrender to the dark, desperate
dance of hate and rancid love."

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Paul Taylor in
The Independent
5 March 2003
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" . . . a towering masterpiece . . . at once the funniest evening on
the London stage and the most gutting . . .

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Bill Hagerty in
The Hollywood Reporter
11 March 2003
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"McKellen is magnificent as Edgar, controlling the plot's ghastly
progress like the despotic ringmaster of a circus of horrors and relishing
the laughs Richard Greenberg's new translation has emphasized. But
marriages, no matter how abysmal, take two, and Frances de la Tour matches
him blow for blow in the unholiest of matrimonies."

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Opening night photos (click to enlarge):


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