Judgment Day, Almeida

Judgment Day, Almeida | reviews, news & interviews

Judgment Day, Almeida

The consequences of a kiss

by James WoodallFriday, 11 September 2009

Fresh from scripting one of the year's feeblest films, Stephen Frears's Michelle Pfeiffer-love-in Chéri, Christopher Hampton has turned his translating hand to a solid 20th-century German drama. Ödön von Horváth's late-1930s Judgment Day is not a bad play, but the Almeida Theatre's new staging of it struggles to convince us that it's worth making that much of a modern fuss about.

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Theatre

Richard II, Bridge Theatre review - handsomely mounted, emotionally muted Jonathan Bailey makes a petulant stage return in Shakespeare's most luxuriant play

Backstroke, Donmar Warehouse review - a complex journey through a mother-daughter relationship Tamsin Greig and Celia Imrie shine in a multifaceted portrait of motherhood

Otherland, Almeida Theatre review - a vivid, beautifully written take on the trans experience Bush's writing is as fresh as a sea breeze and as lyrical as birdsong

Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal Drury Lane review - this shamelessly hedonistic production is a triumph Diamond-sharp banter and an endorphin fizz make this one of the best parties in town

Hamlet, Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Luke Thallon triumphs as the state succumbs to storms The iceberg cometh

East Is South, Hampstead Theatre review - bewildering and unconvincing House of Cards writer tackles AI and religion, but without the necessary clarity

Unicorn, Garrick Theatre review - wordy and emotionless desire New West End drama about spicing up marriage is oddly lacking in passion

More Life, Royal Court review - posthuman tragedy fails to come alive A new sci-fi gothic horror about life after death is intriguing, but flawed

Three Sisters, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse review - Chekhov's anatomy lesson on the human condition Russia - but also here, there and everywhere

Churchill in Moscow, Orange Tree Theatre review - thought-provoking language and power games Howard Brenton’s new play about Winston and Stalin is both intelligent and fun

The Years, Harold Pinter Theatre review - a bravura, joyous feat of storytelling The Almeida’s all-women hit transfers to the West End

Elektra, Duke of York's Theatre review - Brie Larson's London stage debut is angry but inert Brie Larson makes a brave West End debut that, alas, misfires

Follow @theartsdesk