Review – House of Games, Almeida Theatre (Andrew’s review)

I really can’t bring myself to write very much about this dull, pointless adaptation of David Mamet‘s 1987 film about con artists.

Mr Bean (Mr Richard Bean)’s script comes across like a play based on a film.

Like a play that would probably make a much better film.

The dialogue has no nuance or variety to it and the action unfolds so ploddingly that what surprises in the film (I imagine; I haven’t seen it) seems merely inevitable on the stage.

I can’t recall ever before sensing that the entire audience was always one step ahead of the playwright. Not even in Deathtrap.

I’m grumpy because I want the thriller to make a comeback and this isn’t helping.

Indeed I’m so incensed that I’m writing one sentence per paragraph like the Daily Mail online sub-editors make Quentin Letts do.

Nice set though.

Phil quite liked it.

Andrew’s Rating