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The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
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Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
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London,
Kieron Quirke's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Thea Sharrock.
Cast: Derek Jacobi, Joanna David, Dominic Rowan, Christopher Benjamin, Lily Bevan, Neil Boorman, Osmund Bullock, Jamie De Courcey, Natasha Little, Sadie Shimmin, Katie Warren
Description: John Mortimer's autobiographical drama, a touching portrait of a son's relationship with his father, a brilliant yet erascible barrister whose blindness was never spoken about, and how the son strives to gain his father's respect and love. Directed by Thea Sharrock.
Trains: Tube: Leicester Square 
Phone: 0870950 0925
Website: www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Derek Jacobi: A wonderful curmudgeon
Alternative title: the Derek Jacobi show. There are other good points to Thea Sharrock's production of John Mortimer's autobiographical play, transferred from the Donmar.
But they are sporadic, while so dominating is Jacobi's performance as the blind, bullying, barrister father at the play's centre that you miss him too much when he's off-stage.
Mortimer builds the story of his life under the paternal influence and his education and career at the Bar through a series of linked character sketches. With the exception of Christopher Benjamin's prep-school head, the comic cameos are safely amusing rather than powerfully funny.
The only developed character besides the father is the narrator son, and Dominic Rowan puts little vim into the author's already modest self-portrayal. It's scarcely credible when he steals Natasha Little's feisty married mother Elizabeth. When she says he is growing like his exuberant dad, it sounds wishful thinking.
Yet Jacobi is superb, and an almost constant presence. Revelling in his character's curmudgeon wit, he remains a life force, his belligerence fuelled by a peculiar joyfulness.
He's wonderful to watch and the death scene, beautifully underwritten and underplayed, will only fail to choke the soulless.
Booking until 16 December (0870 950 0925); www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
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