Lloyd Evans Lloyd Evans

Coward tribute

Brief Encounter<br /> <em>The Cinema Haymarket </em> The Homecoming <br /> <em>Almeida</em> Under the Eagle<br /> <em>White Bear</em>

issue 01 March 2008

Brief Encounter
The Cinema Haymarket

The Homecoming
Almeida

Under the Eagle
White Bear

Bit of a spoiled brat, the Cinema Haymarket. Can’t decide what it wants. Originally built as a theatre, it defected to the movies for many years but having tired of hosting popcorn blockbusters it’s now receiving plays again. Lovely auditorium, though. Wide comfy seats arranged with such a steep rake that you can see perfectly even if the chap in front of you is Lennox Lewis in a top hat. This new phase of its life begins with an update of Brief Encounter. Like the venue, the show isn’t certain quite what it wants to be. The classic storyline is supplemented with heaps of visual effects, snatches of music-hall pastiche and enough Noël Coward songs to qualify as a tribute show. Pick’n’mix approach.

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