Reviews round-up: Red Velvet at the Garrick Theatre

'Highly recommended - In lesser hands, this tale could have been a tub-thumping pseudo-tragedy but, smartly paced and attractively presented by Indhu Rubasingham, it’s informative, entertaining, thought-provoking and beautifully played. A highly recommended foray into a murky, neglected chapter of our theatrical and national history. Believe the hype.’

‘Lester’s magnificent acting makes you nostalgic for a vanished gestural style in this welcome revival of Lolita Chakrabarti’s play about racial prejudice.’

‘Adrian Lester has been a coolly authoritative Othello, as well as a memorably physical Hamlet and the star of numerous TV shows — including seven of the eight series of Hustle. But he’s never been better than as Ira Aldridge, the black American actor pelted with abuse when he appeared as Othello at Covent Garden in 1833. It is a performance of eloquent intensity — noble and detailed but with fire at its core.

‘Adrian Lester reprises his award-winning performance, bringing an intriguing chapter of theatre history to life.’