“The Grapes of Wrath”: review(s) of performance at West Yorkshire Playhouse / Quarry Theatre in Leeds

Reviews will be updated in this entry as they come.
If I never see the word “accent” again, it will be too soon.

Damian O'Hare as Tom Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath", currently at the West Yorkshire Playhouse / Quarry Theatre in Leeds.

THE PRESS

“(…) Damian O’Hare, as Tom Joad, radiates magnetic charisma and old-fashioned masculinity (…)”

THE BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

“(…) Steinbeck would have been proud of that, and I think he would have approved this production. I can think of no higher praise. (…)”

LEEDS STUDENT ONLINE

“(…) Damian O’Hare gives a stellar performance as Tom Joad, the headstrong idealist of the family, recently returned from prison. His deep Southern drawl is impeccable, as are the accents of others, creating a realism that pervades the play. (…)”

DIGYORKSHIRE.COM ****

“(…) Stand-out performances come from Damian O’Hare playing Tom Joad, a parolee who becomes increasingly militant as their journey progresses. (…)”

THE PUBLIC REVIEWS

“(…) Damian O’Hare as Tom Joad manages to get increasingly militant without alienating or irritating the audience. (…)”

YORKSHIRE POST

“(…) A difficult play for difficult times, perhaps, but like the scorched earth of the Californian desert it too often fails to show signs of life. (…)”

TWITTER SAYS…

“(…) Superb production with full rainstorm on stage. Glad not sitting at front. (…)” – @ Woman_In_White

“(…) It was very good, but by the end I did want to jump off a cliff. Not a happy ending. (…)” – @ILoveTK37

“(…) grapes of misery..I mean wrath , last night. Christopher timothy played pa, with a James Herriot on true blood accent. (…)” – @ sophieroberts17

“(…) Just saw an excellent production of the Grapes of Wrath – moving. Up the People! (…)” – @photographworks

“(…) It is not often I am moved to tears by a theatre production, but the English Touring Theatre’s performance of The Grapes Of Wrath had me thanking my lucky stars that my husband remembered to bring his handkerchief, which I borrowed and used liberally throughout. (…)” – @ KateSlaterPR

“The Grapes of Wrath”: now at West Yorkshire Playhouse / Quarry Theatre

“The Grapes of Wrath” are heading north, and you can see the production, featuring Christopher Timothy as Pa Joad, Sorcha Cusack as Ma Joad, Damian O’Hare as Tom Joad and Oliver Cotton as Jim Casy, from

3 – 14 November at the West Yorkshire Playhouse / Quarry Theatre in Leeds

Here’s a preview on the BBC

BBC – Leeds

and just in case you should still be undecided: here’s a preview video, including scenes from the play and interviews with director and actors.

Here’s a note from the theatre regarding the despatch of tickets:

Postal Strike

During the postal strike we’ll not be sending out any tickets for events that take place less than seven days in the future. Please collect your tickets at Box Office.

“The Grapes of Wrath” video on youtube

West Yorkshire Playhouse has put the official “The Grapes of Wrath” teaser on youtube. It’s the same you can find on the website of the Chichester Festival Theatre, including commentary by director and actors, but as some people seemed to have problems getting that one to load, here’s now an alternative.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

You can see “The Grapes of Wrath” at West Yorkshire Playhouse from 3 – 14 November. I’ve added all tour dates to the side bar of this blog; if you click on the links of the individual venues, you’ll be taken directly to their respective booking sites.

In case you should still be undecided whether or not to go and see this production, you can have a look at the reviews. Please also check the websites of the various theatres for student reductions and ticket contests.