Three Days of Rain Review 2009

Genre: Drama
Opened 10 Feb 2009
Written: by Richard Greenberg
Directed: Jamie Lloyd
Cast: James McAvoy (Walker/Ned), Nigel Harman (Pip/Theo), Lyndsey Marshal (Nan/Lina)
Synopsis: Explores how the private worlds of one generation are reinterpreted by the next. Walker Janeway and his sister Nan reunite for the reading of their father's will in the Manhattan loft where he lived. A wealthy architect, Ned's legacy is the iconic, internationally renowned 1960s New York house designed with his late business partner Theo. Joined by Theo's son , the three childhood friends meet to settle the estate and determine the future of the house. The discovery of a brief entry, 'three days of rain' , in Ned's diary is the only clue to the true stories of the previous generation.

What the popular press had to say.....
NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Insubstantial, under-developed family drama." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "It gives me no pleasure to report that last night's opening only avoided disaster by a whisker...McAvoy, however, is pretty dodgy throughout. In the first half he seems to be delivering his lines through a megaphone, in the second he grossly overplays his character's stutter...a terrific play had been badly let down." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "The chief pleasure in Jamie Lloyd's excessively atmospheric production is McAvoy's dual performance as both Walker and his dad Ned...produces one of the most convincing stammers I have ever heard on any stage." MICHAEL COVENEY for THE INDEPENDENT bsays, "McAvoy gives two nuanced, well projected performances in each act." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "Clever if sometimes clever-clever family play...The prime strength of Greenberg's play isn't its depth or its surprises, but the opportunities it offers its trio of performers, and especially McAvoy. Was he a bit nervous last night? Act I left me wondering if the star of Atonement wasn't missing the camera, for he seemed to be slightly scrambling his diction and compensating by overprojecting." JEREMY AUSTIN for THE STAGE says " Patience is the key in this drama, which turns out to be better constructed than is at first obvious."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Times
Independent
Daily Telegraph

Production Photos by Johan Persson