"Whether it’s their existing relationship that gives this production such a charge, or simply that Carter has inherited her mother’s gifts, they make a riveting double act – so much so that you wish Shaw had given them more scenes together."
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"The play flares fully to life in their duologues but the scenes around them feel filled with extraneous, thinly drawn characters and plot."
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"The big scenes between mother and daughter are quietly tremendous, and crackle with a genuine sense of a familial bond without becoming cosy."
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Imelda Staunton delivers a formidable and commanding performance, bringing depth and nuance to Mrs Warren, while Bessie Carter sparkles as Vivie; together they ignite Shaw’s play with sharpness and warmth, making this revival truly compelling
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"The sense at play's end is of righteousnessness accompanied by austerity in a landscape laden throughout with hypocrisy"
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"Real-life mother and daughter Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter are focused and meticulous as Kitty and Vivie Warren, and while there’s plenty of gristle to chew on here, there’s somehow a lack of bone, blood and, ultimately, heart."
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"Imelda Staunton is magnificent as the titular Mrs Warren... Cooke’s pared-back production lets that modernity shine out."
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“Cooke’s pared-back production lets that modernity shine out, scrapping all that tedious late-Victorian stage business of tablecloths and rattling teacups in favour of a simple circle of greenery.”
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