Guardian: Zoë is 'perfectly cast' as Stevie Smith

5 May 2014 23:08

The Guardian has today published a fantastic review of Stevie.  In particular, the review emphasises that Zoë is 'perfectly cast' as poet Stevie Smith:

'Zoë Wanamaker is so perfectly cast in Hugh Whitemore's play about the life and work of the poet Stevie Smith that you don't feel so much that she's acting as simply channelling the mid-20th century poet and novelist.  She transforms an evening that could be reticent, maybe even a little coy, into something more ferocious and dangerous.  Sadder too.  Like the man in Smith's most famous poem, Not Waving but Drowning, who swims too far out to sea so those on the shore misinterpret his wave for help as gaiety, Wanamaker's Stevie is constantly signalling her distress behind a larky demeanour.'
- Lyn Gardner, Guardian

The Guardian's praise is echoed by the West Sussex Gazette's review, which was also published today:

'It was a perfect piece of casting.

Quite apart form the challenge of delivering dialogue which has been curated from the author's poems and novels, this single-set production in the sitting room of Stevie's middle class home in Palmers Green, London, demands a piquancy from its leading lady to lift it from the humdrum to the sublime.

Ms Wanamaker injects just such a vibrancy.'
- Gary Shipton, West Sussex Gazette

Another very positive review has been published by Youth Music Theatre (of which Zoe is a patron):

'StevieÂ’s pessimistic view of life and gritty humour is enormous fun; I couldn't think of anyone better for the job than Wanamaker.'
- Guy Conroy-Smith, Youth Music Theatre

These three articles follow several other similarly enthusiastic reviews of the play, which runs at Chichester's Minerva Theatre until 24 May. You can read highlights of those reviews here and here.

Tickets to Stevie are available now.

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