When I first saw
the first trailer for Great Britain's west end transfer, I was anxious. I
adored the play at the Lytellton, a week after the show was announced.
Having seen the show at the Haymarket, I feel that whilst the play is
still strong, it has been weakened by changes to both the script and the
cast. Lucy Punch gives Paige a "working class" accent which gives the
journalist more of a mucky feel. Hippie Piper gave Paige the feel of
someone who kept her hands clean and was a slimy character. Punch's
interpretation means that no one is particularly surprised by her
actions. Her monologues also feel slightly more forced than Piper's
effortless display. Oliver Chris' absence is also felt and, whilst Ben
Mansfield's performance as DD is good, it is not a patch on the actor
currently playing Prince William in King Charles III. There are several
scenes cut from the play that was at the National and many o those cuts
help the play to maintain focus. However, the one scene which gave the
original heart is missing which is a real shame. However, Sully is just
as funny as always and the extra YouTube videos were hilarious. Robert
Glenister was also brilliantly funny, as was the rest of the cast.
Therefore, whilst some grit and punch has gone, it is still an extremely
strong and funny take on the phone-hacking scandal.
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