The Hills of California - Harold Pinter Theatre

Not going to be baited into a young vs old argument but nomatter what generation you are, the first three modes you mention are exactly the problem; it’s usually alarms (which break through all 3) or phone calls from contacts (which break through DND) that make phone noise during a show. I wish everyone would just turn the thing off.

Of course critics are entirely subjective, but with the body of work of Jez Butterworth, I think people may have been expecting another 5 star hit. So, arguably some would have been harsher, but others reverential. I think the reviews are generally fair.



I was actually nervous posting my 4 star review given the raves here, and did think critics would generally rave too..

3 stars from The Times

ES refers to his plays as “flawed masterpieces”

People are always so pressed by Arifa's reviews, when they never even go past the star rating. It's bizarre. She says where she finds it falling short, it's not arbitrary. You don't have to agree with her, but the 'again with the three stars' is so childish.

Calling it 'outrageous' that someone has written a review that aligns with their star rating, and implying that doing so amounts to her being unworthy of her job, is pretty pressed.

I think they’re all roughly the same length, sort of 50min-ish. Maybe the first one is slightly longer, say an hour. But it feels like 3 pretty equal chunks.

It may be heresy to say it out loud around these parts, but not only was I underwhelmed (and a tad bored occasionally) by Butterworth's latest, but the flawed predecessor at this venue (Lyonesse) was the more engaging and enjoyable watch for me.

The actual story here is quite slight and has been covered many times. It's stretched to over three hours by dialogue that doesn't always sound authentic, despite good performances, and the daughters and mother do not have a lot to say that makes them interesting. It's melodrama but with the melodramatics largely removed. Peripheral characters threaten occasional interest but vanish before they have chance.

If this were a new writer, I would be keen to see how they would develop, but being from an experienced hand, it falls short of expectations.

Three stars.

Act 1: 19:03-20:00
Act 2: 20:21-21:04
Act 3: 21:09-22:05
(Friday 2 February)

Not sure about this. Quite a lot to sink in first.

Apropos of very little, at one point I wondered if Joan (eldest)ever met Ruth (The Homecoming) in a Heathrow departure lounge, and shared a chat and a drink.

<SPOILER>

Also, such interesting crossovers with the Pinter (at the YV).

Managed to get a rush ticket and seeing this tonight (got stalls row D for anyone wondering what seats they’re offering).

Was it easy to get one?

Very talented cast and performances all round but predictable plot that lacks any mental stimulation. I was on second row and the stage is very high but manageable.

Three stars.

Is this selling bad. Haven't been able to resell my tickets on a well known reselling website as I am not been able to arrange things so that I can go to the performance I brought for. Even at a heavy discount to what I paid for them.
(My inability to be allowed to most of the shows I have brought for recently has cost me dear and is why I am only buying for subsidised theatre now where I can get a return/resale/credit easily.)