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London,
Evening Standard rating
Reader rating
Dir: Rupert Goold.
Cast: Michael Gambon, David Bradley, David Walliams, Nick Dunning
Description: Michael Gambon and David Walliams star in Harold Pinter's play about a pair of ageing writers engaged in an evening of witty banter and alcohol.
Trains: Tube: Leicester Square/Charing Cross 
Phone: 0870060 6623
Website: www.theambassadors.com/dukeofyorks
Sparring partners: Hirst (Michael Gambon) and Spooner (David Bradley)
They don’t make them like they used to, Harold Pinter observed recently in a British Library talk about the post-war greats of the British stage.
His first theatrical encounters were with the performances of Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Paul Scofield, John Gielgud and Michael Redgrave, who were an “extraordinary collection of actors”, he recalled.
Only one contemporary star achieved that stature, the Nobel laureate opined. Who? Michael Gambon, of course — an actor whom directors have deemed tailor-made to play Pinter’s brooding, menacing anti-heroes.
The Great Gambon (as Ralph Richardson dubbed him) returns to Pinter this week in a new production of No Man’s Land directed by the wünderkind Rupert Goold, whose interpretation of Macbeth with Patrick Stewart proved such a hit.
Gambon plays Hirst, a successful but haunted writer, who embarks on a sinister, alcohol-fuelled verbal joust with Spooner, an impoverished, seedy bore played by David Bradley.
They are watched over by Hirst’s staff/guards — played by Little Britain star David Walliams, in his West End debut, and Nick Dunning, last seen as Thomas Boleyn in TV’s The Tudors.
Richardson and John Gielgud created the lead roles for the 1975 premiere.
(Pinter has entertainingly recounted observing their pre-performance preparations, which consisted in entirely non-Method acting comparisons of their respective lunches.)
Pinter himself played Hirst to Paul Eddington’s Spooner in the 1992 Almeida production that later transferred to the West End.
Most recently, Corin Redgrave and John Wood depicted the sparring partners at the National in 2001.
With such an illustrious production history, it is hard to imagine a No Man’s Land to better past performances.
But Pinter’s faith is in Gambon, and if he’s on top form, this transfer from the Gate Theatre, Dublin, just might.
Booking until 3 January. Box office: 0870 060 6623, www.nml-westend.com
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]
Some great acting by Bradley and Gambon, and some amusing and poignant moments, but I couldn't help thinking that its just not a very good play. Walliams seemed unsure of who his character was supposed to be - a cocky cockney or something more sinister. The performance received very muted applause from the full house, despite the well-known actors.
- A Richards, London, England
Although Gambon is excellent and Bradley very good, play is dated and Walliams can't cut it at this level. Poor.
- Dee Geary, London UK
Brilliant! A captivating performance from beginning to end. My first experience of the delights of Harold Pinter sure to be revisited. A cast full of presence and intrigue. David Bradleys meandering monologue's weaving an intricate web of experience and fantasy were a joy, Gambon's understated but powerful protagonist a constant troubled presence and his second half energy invigorating. Dunning's menace resolute, but broken with a beam or two of sentimental light, and Walliams young, aggressive, camp and magnetic. Providing a wonderful balance, I especially enjoyed his delivery of ****!
Highly recommended
Good day!
- Hank Williams, UK Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
Yes L.Bassett but is it good enough to pay fifty pounds plus in the hope of picking a good night?
- Gwaddilove, london,ENGLAND
gambon isn't great. gambon acts great.
- Fred, london
I too have experienced 'the great Gambon' and have to say that you have to 'pick your night'!
Great when great... but deeply erratic.
- L. Bassett, Surrey
Sir Michael Gambon must be a great First Night actor. I have seen him on stage on more than one occasion and each time he changed the lines, played games and tried to make the other actors laugh.
- Gwaddilove, London, England
