• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Review: Don Juan in Soho at The Wyndhams Theatre

by Staff Writer
March 28, 2017
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Review Don Juan in Soho Wyndhams Theatre

Review Don Juan in Soho Wyndhams Theatre

Four Star Review from Theatre Weekly

Patrick Marber’s Don Juan in Soho has swaggered on to the West End at the Wyndham’s Theatre bursting with a deserved cockiness.  It’s a reworking of a previous production at The Donmar Warehouse, and based on the Moliere classic, but unlike the other Moliere being revived in the West End, Don Juan in Soho gets it just right.

Don Juan – DJ – the self-proclaimed “Dalai Lama of Debauchery” saunters through life with just one goal, to bed practically every woman he sees.  He’s not even racist about it, he tells us, for him any woman, or occasionally a man, will do.  He will tell them anything they want to hear to get what he wants.  He told Elvira he would marry her, and he did, but it’s left to long suffering servant and confidante, Stan, to explain to DJ’s new brother-in-law why the groom is in a hotel room with a Croatian super model the day after the honey moon ends.  Turns out he didn’t even make it through the wedding day before straying. But DJ’s days are numbered, and we see if he takes the chance he is given to repent and live, or to maintain his own arrogant opinion of himself.

       

David Tennant plays a character that’s as titillating and alluring as he is repulsive, and plays it brilliantly.  There’s an immense confidence in the performance that makes it hard to resist his charms, even though Stan frequently breaks the fourth wall to advise us against doing so.  There is a wickedly funny scene when DJ is trying to secure his next conquest while being pleasured under a blanket by his last, there is not one redeeming feature about the character, yet it is impossible not to be taken in by him.  In the second act Tennant launches a scathing diatribe on everything from President Trump to vloggers and iPhones, this summed up his performance perfectly; gripping, passionate and definitely a guilty pleasure.

But Tennant does not steal the show entirely.  Adrian Scarborough forms the second half of this formidable double act, completely self-effacing he keeps threatening to leave his master, but needs to be paid first.  Scarborough gives not only a funny, but a very touching and nuanced performance.  While all too brief appearances from Gawn Grainger and Theo Barklem-Biggs demonstrate that a talented cast has been assembled for this production.

You mightalso like

TOM GLYNN CARNEY AND HAYLEY SQUIRES credit Oliver Rosser

All My Sons Extends West End Run and Announces New Cast Members

Henry V credit Seamus Ryan

Henry V, Cyrano de Bergerac, Macbeth and More Announced in RSC’s Ambitious 2025/26 Season

Fairly simple staging is brought to life with some cleverly, and sparingly, used video projections by Dick Straker.  A moving statue, driving a flying cycle rickshaw, is almost worth seeing the show for itself, but there’s also great music from Adam Cork and movement from Polly Bennett.

Don Juan in Soho is suave, sexy and far from subtle, drawing gasps from the audience with almost every line.  You’re left feeling incredulous that such a character could exist, yet are strangely drawn to him.  This particular production feels fresh, and allows us all to indulge in a little recklessness, even if it is just for a couple of hours, and from the safety of our seat in the auditorium.

Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Don Juan in Soho Review Photo by Helen Maybanks
Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

TOM GLYNN CARNEY AND HAYLEY SQUIRES credit Oliver Rosser
News

All My Sons Extends West End Run and Announces New Cast Members

Henry V credit Seamus Ryan
News

Henry V, Cyrano de Bergerac, Macbeth and More Announced in RSC’s Ambitious 2025/26 Season

Next To Normal Jamie Parker, Jack Wolfe, Eleanor Worthington Cox and Caissie Levy Credit Marc Brenner
Digital

Next To Normal to Receive UK-Wide Cinema Release This September

Frieda Kaden credit Johan Persson
News

The Maiden of Venice – Carlos Acosta’s Reimagining of La Bayadère to Premiere at Birmingham Hippodrome

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Spin A Play (Credit Lynsey Nicol)

Spin-a-Play Brings Improvised Chaos to Camden Fringe 2025

The sound of Music Cast Image supplied by publicist

The Sound of Music Full Cast Announced for Curve’s 2025 Christmas Production

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly