A round-up of reviews of Hedda Gabler starring Sheridan Smith at the Old Vic Theatre in London
Anna Mackmin’s new production of Ibsen’s drama Hedda Gabler as opened at the Old Vic Theatre in London starring Olivier Award-winning actress Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde, Flare Path) in the title role.
This adaptation of Ibsen’s play by Brian Friel also stars Buffy Davis, Anne Reid, Adrian Scarborough and Fenella Woolgar.
The critics have heaped lavish praise on Sheridan Smith, who has been hailed as “superb” by Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph and “one of the stage stars of her generation” by Henry Hitchings in the Standard.
Read more reviews below.
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Book tickets to Hedda Gabler starring Sheridan Smith at the Old Vic Theatre in London
Average Critics Rating
★★★★
REVIEWS ROUND-UP
Evening Standard
★★★★
"More than ever the play comes across as a study of a woman doomed to be a misfit. Smith’s admirable performance is its beating heart."Read more
The Daily Telegraph
★★★★
"Anna Mackmin's staging is particularly good at creating an atmosphere of nervous unease... But the great thrill of the night is Sheridan Smith, revealing herself as an actress of truly tremendous talent and range."Read more
The Guardian
★★★
"Anna Mackmin's very good production is marred by the tendency of Brian Friel's new version to spell out things Ibsen left implicit."Read more
The Independent
★★★
"this is in many respects an inadequate account of the part. Got up to look like a Georgette Heyer villainess, Smith projects effortfully in a strained high-pitched voice (Hedda is a natural mezzo) and in an unsteadily refined accent and for all the world comes over as a lovely Northern lass who has been landed with the awkward burden of portraying a self-hating, bitchy sophisticate."Read more
The Stage
"She [Sheridan Smith] has a radiant, poised beauty, but there are dark, disturbed, destructive impulses running beneath the facade. "Read more
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📷 Main photo: A round-up of reviews of Hedda Gabler starring Sheridan Smith at the Old Vic Theatre in London
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Charles Spencer’s review of Hedda Gabler is absolutely spot-on in its praise of the wonderful Sheridan Smith! Well done Charles, for recognising exactly what this versatile young actress wanted to bring to the complex character of Hedda. Sheridan has brought a fresh, dramatic and emotional approach to the role. As he says, she is “an actress of truly tremendous talent and range”.
This production has received so many well-deserved, positive reviews, from hardened,well-respected theatre critics, who have, over the years, ‘seen it all’! (Representing among others -The Stage, The Times, Daily Telegraph, Time Out, London Evening Standard, ).
Congratulations to an excellent cast, especially the leading lady!