• 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
  • Edinburgh Fringe
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • 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
  • Edinburgh Fringe
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews
Review Glengarry Glen Ross at Playhouse Theatre

Review Glengarry Glen Ross at Playhouse Theatre

Review: Glengarry Glen Ross at The Playhouse Theatre

by Greg Stewart
November 9, 2017
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Four Star Review from Theatre Weekly

David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross achieved prominence on the release of the 1992 film version of the Pulitzer Prize winning script, but can the revival of the original play, now at The Playhouse Theatre, evoke the same plaudits?  Those hoping to see Alec Baldwin’s character will be disappointed, for that role was written in specifically for him, what remains though, is the profanity laden, and testosterone fueled story of greed and corruption.

Directed by Sam Yates, Glengarry Glen Ross centres on a group of Chicago estate agents who are pulling every trick in the book to close property deals on two estates; Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross. The premium leads are everything, and are given only to the top salesmen, meaning the less successful agents remain bottom of the list.

       

With their pride, and a Cadillac at stake, the group resort to all kinds of underhand behaviour to obtain the leads and close the deals.  When the office is broken in to, and the leads stolen, the characters are exposed for what they are, and the extent of criminality is laid bare.

Set in the 1980’s, Glengarry Glen Ross now feels like another world, the male dominance and openly racist language, which has been removed from other versions of the production, feel shocking. The fact that it was written at the time it was set, allows you to see this not as a detriment, but as an accurate representation of the era.

You mightalso like

Andrew Scott pic by Oliver Rosser Feast Creative (1)

Andrew Scott Returns to the West End in Vanya

Richard III

Rose Theatre Announce Spring Season 2023 Including Adjoa Andoh Directing and Starring In William Shakespeare’s Richard III

 

Chiara Stephenson’s set design is gloriously intricate, the first act takes place in a Chinese restaurant and every detail has been accounted for, right down to the goldfish tank.  It’s large and spacious, and you can imagine a group of diners arriving at any moment. The second act is even more detailed, with the burgled office strewn with papers and debris.

The only downside to such fabulous staging is that the interval lasts almost as long as the first act, which is itself relatively short, in order for the stage to be reset.  Ultimately though, it’s a tradeoff worth making to achieve such realism in the look and feel.

A stellar cast have been lined up for this production, led by Christian Slater as Ricky Roma. Of course, he is a natural on stage and his performance is absorbing and completely believable. Kris Marshall, as office manager John, and Stanley Townsend as Shelly Levine also stand out for their impassioned performances.

       

There’s a great deal of interjecting dialogue in this play, it’s part of what makes it so funny, at times though, it can feel like the actor is waiting for the interruption to come, rather than it occurring naturally, as intended.  The lines are delivered at fast pace, which keeps the audience hooked, and it’s undeniably funny, even if we sometimes feel we’re sniggering at things that are no longer acceptable to laugh at.

Glengarry Glen Ross is a timely revival of a legendary play, it is sure to attract a new legion of fans who have been drawn in by the appeal of the movie, and will enjoy the original version just as much, thanks to the beautiful direction of Sam Yates.  The sharks mantra is ‘always be closing’, but the only crime here is that this limited run will close all too soon.

 

1 of 9
- +
Review Glengarry Glen Ross at Playhouse Theatre
Kris Marshall Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
Glengarry Glen Ross Kris Marshall c. Marc Brenner
Don Warrington Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
Don Warrington and Robert Glenister Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
Daniel Ryan and Christian Slater Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
Christian Slater Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
Christian Slater and Stanley Townsend Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
Christian Slater and Kris Marshall Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner
ADVERTISEMENT

1. Review Glengarry Glen Ross at Playhouse Theatre

Review Glengarry Glen Ross at Playhouse Theatre

2. Kris Marshall Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Kris Marshall Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

3. Glengarry Glen Ross Kris Marshall c. Marc Brenner

Glengarry Glen Ross Kris Marshall c. Marc Brenner

4. Don Warrington Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Don Warrington Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

5. Don Warrington and Robert Glenister Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Don Warrington and Robert Glenister Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

6. Daniel Ryan and Christian Slater Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Daniel Ryan and Christian Slater Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

7. Christian Slater Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Christian Slater Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

8. Christian Slater and Stanley Townsend Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Christian Slater and Stanley Townsend Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

9. Christian Slater and Kris Marshall Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Christian Slater and Kris Marshall Glengarry Glen Ross c. Marc Brenner

Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

Andrew Scott pic by Oliver Rosser Feast Creative (1)
Featured

Andrew Scott Returns to the West End in Vanya

Richard III
News

Rose Theatre Announce Spring Season 2023 Including Adjoa Andoh Directing and Starring In William Shakespeare’s Richard III

Kris Marshall will star in Charlotte Theodore
News

Kris Marshall to star in Charlotte & Theodore at Theatre Royal Bath

Sophie Wu
Interviews

Interview: Sophie Wu on The Seagull at The Harold Pinter Theatre

The Seagull. Emilia Clarke Nina Tom Rhys Harries Trigorin. Credit Marc Brenner.
First Look

First Look: The Seagull at The Harold Pinter Theatre in Rehearsal

The Seagull Cast
News

The First £15 Performances go on Sale For The Jamie Lloyd Company’s The Seagull

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.

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

Mrs Doubtfire The Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre credit Manuel Harlan

First Look: Mrs. Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre

Lord of the Rings Cast

Cast Announced for Lord of the Rings at Watermill Theatre

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

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

© 2022 Theatre Weekly