our pics of the day

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All about American Buffalo like reviews critic's pictures and comments can be find on our website damian-lewis.com

American Buffalo

 Award-winning film and TV star Damian Lewis returns to the West End stage in David Mamet’s explosive and
thrilling play American Buffalo. Darkly comic, quick-witted and tragic in its way, the play was first staged forty years ago but remains as edgy and vital to this day.

Famous for its strong language, American Buffalo examines the fickle relationship between a trio of petty thieves. As the three men plan to pull off the heist of a lifetime, their error-laden plan throws them into deep trouble.

The 2015 revival is staged by acclaimed British director Daniel Evans (The Full Monty) and is certain to be a must see for theatre-lovers with home-grown talent in the form Homeland & Wolf Hall actor Damian Lewis making his return to the London stage after a 6 year absence; Hollywood acting icon John Goodman (Argo, Monsters University) and British born Tom Sturridge who was nominated in 2013 for a Tony Award for his leading role in the play Orphans on Broadway.

Houses of Parliament

Now more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster began life in 1042 as a royal residence under Edward the Confessor.

 The major structure to survive various fires, Westminster Hall was built between 1087 and 1100 and is one of the largest medieval halls in Europe with an unsupported hammer beam roof.

 During the 14th century the Hall housed the courts of law as well as shops and stalls selling legal equipment - wigs and pens. Following a fire in 1512, Henry VIII abandoned the Palace and it has been home to the two seats of Parliament - the Commons and the Lords - ever since.

 Yet another disastrous fire in 1834 destroyed everything except Westminster Hall and the Jewel Tower. A competition to redevelop the whole site was won by Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin who came up with the mock Gothic building that has become such a familiar landmark today and includes Big Ben (the bell that chimes on the hour) and the largest clock face in the country.

 Members of the public can watch debates when Parliament is in session - you don't need tickets in advance but may have to queue. To watch Prime Minister's Question Time (Wed 12noon, when Parliament is sitting) it's advisable to get tickets in advance.

copyright:visitbritain.com

all this is American Buffalo

“Damian Lewis shows acting masterclass”

“incredible performances”

“Damian Lewis has bravura”

“Standing ovations are well deserved”

“Damian Lewis is outstanding”

“First class acting”

“What a great play”

PHENOMENAL

standing ovations since the first preview…

all this is American Buffalo with Damian Lewis so if you don’t have a ticket yet please follow the link and notice the tickets selling extremely fast.

we say Thank you very much for all your amazing comments on Twitter and thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures with us..highly appreciated

please keep it up!!

@DamianLewisCom

@emsjbabb 

all about American Buffalo..

we keep you updated on the main site damian-lewis.com and here tonight and tomorrow...
for reviews and pictures please visit our website and enjoy:-)

American Buffalo the official opening

tonight the play starts officially with the press night and we wish everyone involved best of luck! !!!!!!!!

we keep you updated:-)
here and on damian-lewis.com

Wolf Hall Blog review episode four

Wolf Hall episode four “The Devils Spit“

Just two more episodes left and that’s actually terribleJ

I will miss it and when you follow our blog from the beginning you know that

I am normally hard to persuade to get myself into a series.

I tried a lot Breaking Bad Boston Legal and Downtown Abbey just to name a few

and they are all very brilliant but I find it hard to keep up and that’s why

I usually stop watching with a very few exceptions like Forsythe Saga Homeland

or Wolf Hall because they are all different and that’s why I am so excited foe Billions and

keep all my fingers crossed constantly for this project because it’s a temporary and absolutely

interesting plot and could be a perfect mixture of drama and a deep look into high finance

which means I learn and enjoy the same time.

Wolf Hall now is a story we all know it’s not that we never heard before of Henry and Cromwell

but the series takes a different look of history and for the first time ever we see Henry not fat and

choleric but human, that’s probably for some viewers   a bit difficult because most of us had a clear

imagination of Henry and now we get a new sight but luckily most of us love it and as we all know

its accuracy  as Henry wasn’t always the fat guy.

Wolf Hall for me has almost every week a big surprise in the pocket and it called Damian Lewis

And his expressive way to play Henry!!

I have almost seen everything Damian was in and a lot of the films and series episode had

one thing in common Damian was able to create very much by doing very little.

Brody was probably the most famous example of what I mean.

Brody had never that wide range of emotions like Carrie and her slightly opera like actions

no he had to act on the edge of his personality and he expressed everything to perfection

sometimes by just raising his eyebrows or you can always reading his feelings in his eyes.

And all this has his Henry but Henry expresses everything really everything in his face

and not only with a flicker no with the whole face and that’s so great  for the King

and for the scenes with Cromwell.

As one critic said this week: “Henry is like a monstrous child”

That is the most perfect description of what I try to sayJ

Henry has very single emotion in his face he hides nothing and that makes him

kind of scary because he seems so capricious  and you are able to see all his thoughts

written all over his face and that’s  so marvellous. it’s a new experience for fans and audience

and I am so happy to witness a whole new aspect in his acting and to explore a Henry I haven’t seen

before in all the movies and yes the Tudors…there I said the word againJ

that made the last four episodes so special for me and especially the last episode, it had

so much emotions in it not only for Henry but also for More aka Anton Lesser!!

Actually Lesser made me a slightly little bit disappointed in Cromwell and Rylance.

Please not much and Mark Rylance is a wonderful actor and made to be Cromwell

but sometimes for my taste and really only for my taste he is a bit too slow and a bit too

reduced in his emotions and I found Lesser in the scenes just better than Rylance`s Cromwell

his reduced acting and emotions are perfect in the scenes with Henry because Lewis`s

King is like a child and you never know what to expect the next moment but Thomas More

Forced Cromwell to deeper emotions and I wish we had seen them better and clearer.

But guess I am just spoiled by Damian Lewis and his marvellous way to express deep

Emotions with just raising his eyebrow and the audience feel deeply for him!!

But again Mark Rylance carries Cromwell through the series with outstanding perfection.

I am a bit of a fan when it comes to Anton Lesser since I have seen him in a Barbican Centre

Production of Julius Caesar in London many years ago and he was outstanding as Brutus

unfortunately so outstanding that he outplayed Ralph Fiennes`s Marc Antony quite wellJ

He is just very very good!!

But the greatest pleasure for me is to discover once more a new site in Damian Lewis`s

acting and can’t wait to see the next episode, the synopsis promise a few scenes between

the King and Cromwell and that’s for me the best moments the series had to offer!!

Pic of the day

source:damian-lewis.com

get yourself a funny start in the day

Emmas turn....Every Breath you Take................

Ever watched the intense acting that Damian does and seen one major similarity with a lot of his characters?  The heavy breathing, the way his deep breath and low breathing takes over in a scene and watch the way his nostrils flare as the anger gets more intense

Lets take a closer look into the Characters in question.

The Forsythe Sage - Soames Forsthye the master of the heavy breath, as soames was filled with anger the more and more cross he got the heavier the breathing and the anger in his eyes showed.

Homeland Brody - Ah Sergent Nicholas Brody, this Character was angry many times, there were scenes when he was arguing with Jessica his wife, being blackmailed by the reporter Aroya Hamad where he was so cross, scenes with him and Carrie, the horrible death scene of Walden and oh so many more

Keane, the breathing and deep breaths in Keane were less of anger and more of worry and confusion, when William Keane was frustrated and lets face it, that was a lot during the film his breath would quicken up but the anger that usually showed in his eyes was that of sadness

Life, Charlie Crews, the wonderful charming and extremely handsome Charlie Crews, in Life we did not see Charlie angry very much, this is surprising for a man who has been locked away in prison for 12 years wrongly accused of killing a family, but in some episodes nearer the end of season two, we do see the anger arise in this character and the quick breathing and angry eyes make an appearance.

Silent Storm - Not yet hit the big screen, but bought by Sony recently, The Silent Storm shows Damian Lewis play a minister called Balor, who lives alone with his wife on a deserted Island in Scotland. Balor is an angry man, his character is one that you would not want to get on the wrong side of, his deep breathing pattern is used throughout most of the dialogue as he is a violent and angry character. 

Wolf Hall - Henry the eighth, I have left the best till last!  Henry, there were several episodes throughout this 6 week BBC Tale of Henry and Cromwell, that actually scared the hell out of me, the one scene where nostrils flares, blue eyes raged and breathing was uncontrollable was when Henry was shouting at Thomas Cromwell and Cromwell lifted up his arms in a cross and basically walked away from the King - Wow that is one brave brave man......

There are many many other Characters which also take on the similar breathing pattern but I have chosen my top 6 most scary and memorable.  Wonder if Bobby in Billions will have any angry moments! we look forward to finding out

American Buffalo or see a versatile artist at work:-)

Damian Lewis shows once again how much he  is able to inhabits a character and how much he changes for it...
Teach Walter Cole...you will hardly recognise Damian and this is exactly what I highly respect...we looking forward to see it ourselves in May:-)
but first see and enjoy the complete set of production pictures on our website
damian-lewis.com

One night in London

After a day a night full of dreams and fun ends the day...

Emma and Sabrina on court re reading

So Wolf Hall for me this week was another agonising affair! A group meet up with 6 other girls for a birthday was going to once again cause me to miss the 9pm slot to sit and be undisturbed for my hour with the King. 
I end up in a dreadful chicken restaurant when I should be in front of my TV..... Resenting my 6 friends and searching on Twitter I accepted that I would watch it on the following day- the following day came and due to work and not having it on bbc I player I couldn't watch it! This was now getting too much - until it was finally downloaded onto my iPAd on Thursday evening
 - Friday I have to be In hospital with my back (prolapsed disc) for 7am knowing there would be a lot of waiting around I got my headphones out and settled down on my comfy bed and private room to finally watch my king! Only to be disturbed by my specialist for the pre op! Who incidentally we have named Dr Damain..... Very similar lol

As he was talking to me, I was 15 minutes in by now, he glanced over to my iPad and said "ah wolf hall, one of my favourite programmes right now, and doesn't Damian Lewis make an excellent Henry" he went on to tell me that he thought homeland was great too! See even Dr Damian loves Damian!!!!
So finally after waiting over 36 hours I get to see it and wow what an episode - I love the chemistry between rylance and Lewis they really create a spark when they are acting together - so Henry is now married to Anne and aside from that I found the scene when Henry was drunk excellent reminding me of a Sergeant Brody drunk with Carrie moment! Every week I think he gets better and better and I am looking forward to not having any plans for the next 3 Wednesday nights!!!!! 

It was a lot last week with Damian Lewis’s beautiful and charming appearance

in Berlin we hardly talked about episode three of Wolf Hall  but luckily press and

audience talked about and positive as ever and we can only agree!!

Wolf Hall gets better and better every episode has new highlights and we can all easily agree

that Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis dominates the series.

The whole episode was again outstanding but a few scenes again were absolute stand outs

 Mark Rylance proves again He is the right choice for the role but of course I enjoy mostly the scenes with Henry it would be strange if I wouldn’t

I also really like the scenes with Anton Lesser.I have seen him many years ago in a Julius Caesar

production at the Barbican Centre and besides the fact that he was a very nice man he dominated

the stage whenever he was in action which only proves Wolf Hall united the best actors in Great Britain

the scenes with Henry were powerful and made clear how much he wants Anne in his…life and bed and last thing he really pointed out to Cromwell in the drunk scene and both actors were incredible good and as one viewer said:” Rylance and Lewis gave a masterclass in acting”  couldn’t agree more.

The scene was my highlight although every scene with the King is kind of frightening because

he has such a chilly charisma but still gives us the feeling he is a human being with human needs

and he told us his needs very detailed and on his own special way a way that makes me

embarrassed and sad the same time but that’s a Lewis specialty to show what’s under the surface

and you feel it strongly and it touches your heart immediately so yes I felt embarrassed by the kings

needs and the manly way he talked about but I also felt he is a human being.

You could also see that in the scene in front of the wonderful Canterbury Cathedral as the nun

Came to talk to the King, he is afraid to fail and to do the wrong things even he is actually convinced to do the right thing to marry Anne and safe the thrown.

I can’t wait to see more and its one of this telly events that left you unhappy in front of your tv because it’s over soon and what to do with the Wednesday evenings thenJ  

a day in London

A day in London is exciting and there is much more than just sightseeing...sit back and relax and enjoy with us a day in the city..

Pic of the day

American Buffalo

Award-winning film and TV star Damian Lewis returns to the West End stage in David Mamet’s explosive andthrilling play American Buffalo. Darkly comic, quick-witted and tragic in its way, the play was first staged forty years ago but remains as edgy and vital to this day.

 Famous for its strong language, American Buffalo examines the fickle relationship between a trio of petty thieves. As the three men plan to pull off the heist of a lifetime, their error-laden plan throws them into deep trouble.

The 2015 revival is staged by acclaimed British director Daniel Evans (The Full Monty) and is certain to be a must see for theatre-lovers with home-grown talent in the form Homeland & Wolf Hall actor Damian Lewis making his return to the London stage after a 6 year absence; 

Hollywod acting iconJohn Goodman (Argo, Monsters University) and British born Tom Sturridge who was nominated in 2013 for a Tony Award for his leading role in the play Orphans on Broadway.

A tale of never-ending greed and split loyalties, the play is recognised as one of Mamet’s masterpieces. It originally premiered at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago and opened on Broadway on 16 February 1977. The play was also adapted into a 1996 film starring Dustin Hoffman

Emma tells you all about London Hotels

AS a visitor to  Wonderful LONDON town we want to give you as much choice to get the best out of your trip here.

Below are some hotels that we at the blog would highly recommend, some are central London location some are not too far on the bus or tube, but all of them are great hotels that you will be delighted to stay in. Its just up to you how close to the centre of town you want to be.



Central London Recommendations



1)      Hilton Park Lane – This is one of the most beautiful hotels in London, I have had the delight in staying here and the rooms, service and location are all amazing.  Standing 331 feet tall this 28 storey building is at the top end of Park Lane – a prestigious road in Central London in the middle of 3 great areas, Green Park (Piccadilly) Knightsbridge and Hyde Park.  The hotel boasts incredible rooms, several restaurants and bars including one right at the top of the hotel with spectacular views over London, you can even see the Heathrow Flight Path.  Prices for one night in this hotel is from £379 per night per room.



2)      Le Merridien Piccadilly is a luxury 5 Star Hotel in the Centre of London close to Green Park station and Piccadilly Circus – The rooms are divided into sets by type including Classic Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Club Rooms and Executive Suites.  The hotel backs on to Regent Street.  It was constructed in 1908 as the Piccadilly Hotel and passed through many different owners before being bought in 1986 by the Meridien group.  This stunning hotel has many wonderful features including a Spa.  Prices for one night start from £339 per night per room





Now lets have a look at some mid range comfortable hotels that cost a little less money



3)      Premier Inn – London County Hall, this hotel is minutes from the London Eye and in sight of some of London’s most famous Landmarks, the Premier inn is in the heart of the city but very cost effective.  It is in the historic county hall building and you can see all sided of the capital from it .  Rooms at the premier in are basic, but its clean, very comfortable and in easy reach of everything you need – Premier inn are one of the UK’s biggest hotel chain groups guaranteeing affordable stay and maximum comfort –

Prices for one night are from  £90

Premier inn Hotels are all over London, locations also include Waterloo, Tower Bridge, Holborn and Kings Cross.  They are all very central and easy to get to any other part of London – visit www.premierinn.comto find a hotel.



4)      Travel Lodge – Travel Lodge hotels are another affordable hotel group in the UK, much like Premier Inn but they are even more basic.  Locations such as Euston which is situated in the centre of the city of London, this hotel is a great way to experience London, it is found directly opposite Euston Underground station where you can pick up many connections on the London underground – Prices start at £117 per night per room,  other locations for Travel Lodge hotels include – Kings Cross, Covent Garden, Farringdon and Marylebone.



Some great websites to look at for hotels and tips are.

Late Rooms and Trip Advisor, Late Rooms usually let you pay on leaving the hotel and secure the booking with a credit card, so gives you a little longer before having to pay for the full trip till the very end, and Trip advisor will give you an honest view of all hotels along with a booking option too, it shows people actual photos and experience of staying in all the hotels.



As a fellow Londoner I would advise the following if you are planning a trip

·         Go for a hotel that is not too far from a tube station, all the London underground is easy to get to once your underground and connections are very simple to follow to get to one part of town to another.

·         Don’t rely on black taxi, the traffic in central London can be very busy at certain times and you will end up paying so much for just sitting in a taxi and not going far

·         Wear comfortable footwear – in Top Shop and River Island they sell these fabulous fold away shoes that fit in your bag, you can wear your lovely heels for a night out and stroll back to your hotel in you fold away shoes with no pain from the feet

·         Don’t book a hotel for Bed and Breakfast go room only, there are so many lovely cafes and restaurants offering wonderful breakfasts and brunches – (see or restaurant & bar guide)

·         Keep a bottle of water in your bag, if you are travelling in May – June then the underground gets hot and stuffy you may feel thirsty and there is nowhere underground to get anything.

For any travel or hotel advice drop us an email and we will be happy to try and advise you.

GOOD LUCK

American Buffalo starts previews and site and blog wish all the best for cast and crew!!!!!!!

we keep you updated here and of course detailed on the main site 

damian-lewis.com 

Damian Lewis gives a career best...

every actor in Wolf Hall is a joy.

 Big ginger hottie Damian Lewis winds it down a notch and gives a career best in his portrayal of Henry. 

A man shrouded in religious guilt, manipulated and wet with lust for Claire Foy’s goggled eyed (whore) Anne Boleyn.

Read more about Wolf Hall and the upcoming American Buffalo on our main site damian-lewis.com 

We bet that makes your day:-)

just sit back relax and enjoy....:-)

American Buffalo....some thoughts

We will see American Buffalo and yes I am very excited and I know we going to see a high class
performance because I was lucky enough to see Damian Lewis on stage before.
And I am sure I will be in love with John Goodman the moment he appears on stage and Tom Sturridge is a real young talent I am sure Damian will dominate the stage
(I should mention that I writing this long before the play is on in fact its April the first, it’s after midnight already and I can’t sleep so I do some blog work but I can’t use reviews or critics its my opinion only)
Damian dominated both plays he did the last years and he put an energy in his performance that you
almost needed seat belts!!
Especially during the Misanthrope run which I was crazy enough to see five times in a row!!
I am so much more reduced this time with only three performances in two months….well yes
Emma kept me from booking more….it would be ridiculous to go more often…and way too expensive lol
Back to the facts:
American Buffalo and his main character Walter “Teach “Cole has a special presence and is the active part of the three guys, he is also the most aggressive one of the group.
Teach gives the impression he knows what’s going on. But I doubt he is that clever.
As Damian told earlier in the first interview clip for American Buffalo;
These three men want to be part of the American dream but they’re not!!
And I agree it’s surely a total different experience from the life Damian and the director Daniel Evans live.

And that might be an enormous challenge but I witnessed Damian Lewis on stage before and I know he is an exceptional stage actor.

and to be different in your role you have to play…well like Damian said once:
“That would be acting”

It’s almost six years by now that I have seen Damian on stage and the last time it was at the comedy theatre in London.

The Misanthrope.
So much happened ever since….
The whole Homeland hype started a year later and by now Damian is even more a well-known well respected actor with a reputation of a versatile and brilliant performer…known around the world.

Damian Lewis brings an energy on stage that I have never seen before and he has an enormous presence that mixed with his acting skills makes the night in the theatre unforgettable.

So yes I expect a full blooded performance with energy and aggressive presence because
Teach is the aggressive part of the crew!!
Frankly I cannot wait to see him on stage and it’s so great he brings two other brilliant actors with him

Best of Luck guys….and break a leg

Damian Lewis attends premiere

see a first picture and stay tuned for more on damian-lewis.com

a compliment

Since I work for site and blog I don’t get much sleep.
It’s again in the middle of night and I just exchanged emails with Selene to work out
The fabulous interview Damian had with Bryan Appleyard for Sunday Times Culture
Please read it on damian-lewis.com
It’s the perfect working hour for me because I’m a real night owl so it is no big a deal.
I am quite an enthusiastic kid when it comes to Damian and that feeling never left me and I am proud of the fact I could go excited every time it comes to him, not in a screaming teenager kind of way but
I love his work and probably love him too at least a bit….

See I let him like every fan into my life. I spend a lot of time with Lewis stuff….daily
and I think when you invite an artist in your life he becomes part of it and on a strange but honest level you develop feelings for this person.

And since I was a child I am able to react in a very happy and exciting way to things I like and love
and luckily I never grew out of it.
And tonight it was one of these moments reading the brilliant interview…..
I read probably every interview he did the last ten years and I liked most of them but the great thing
I could witnessed is how much he changed in the best possibly way.

In earlier interviews he was funny flirty and so sweet to listen and read to but over the years
He became kind of wiser more focused and so insightful and not afraid to admit very deep thoughts.
He seems totally honest, he don’t cover things and as a fan it feels he is honest with you and honesty
makes a person vulnerable and I have respect for every artist who uncover himself with
wit and honesty.

he says in the interview that acting is like advocacy " you present your character and the audience is the jury"

I suppose it will sound superficial and a bit teenage like but it is meant in a good way and that’s
a fact I insist but tonight I fell in love a bit more with the actor Damian Lewis…and I am a bit proud to be part of his audience

Wolf Hall and words like: Magnificent and Triumph....plus a glimpse on next weeks episode re reading!!

a few audience comments and believe me its just a selection.-)

critics call it a triumph and a spectacle…with a glorious cast and outstanding performances

audience is enthralled by the series

"How good is Mark Rylance in Wolf Hall as Cromwell & Damian Lewis is best Henry VIIIIIN ever, Bernard Hill gloweringly good Norfolk too BBC2"

"superb! Best Tudor drama I've ever seen"

"Menacing & magnificent"

"Wolf Hall is absolutely fantastic, and features Damian Lewis as a great Henry VIII"

"loving the 'understated'; acting in Wolf Hall. Damian Lewis now showing that threatening malice w expect in a subtle way. Rylance brilliant."

"Beautifully done and gripping to watch. Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis give an extraordinary performance."

"Damian Lewis makes for a wonderful Henry"

"Wolf Hall hitting full stride. Riveting & magnificent. Rylance sublime but Damian Lewis an impressive match. A whole week til the next?"

"great acting, great drama, perfect atmosphere. Feels like we're back in Tudor times"

"Good God, Damian Lewis plays a great King Henry in Wolf Hall2

"Damian Lewis's Henry VIII is just getting better and better. Showing his quieter, more human side"

"Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis owning the screen!"

The relationship between Cromwell and Henry VIII has grown intimate. As Rylance hovered in the tall shadow of Damian Lewis, not presuming to look him in the eye, was anyone else reminded of The Fast Show’s vertical bromance between Charlie Higson’s diffident country gent and Paul Whitehouse’s wary yokel? Except that here Rylance is performing the seduction, and we’re caught in his web.

There’s no gas central heating in Cromwell’s time, but it hardly matters: the heat burning off everyone’s tightly bound flirting is enough to burn down a thousand thatched roofs. They want him because he can protect them or piss off the royal family, or occasionally because they genuinely desire him. In the end, Cromwell – a level headed lawyer – makes the entirely rational choice to be ruled by his heart.
It isn’t always clear who’s actually in control in this episode (that Boleyn girl has a commanding head on her shoulders) but for now, Henry continues to reign. Elsewhere, its reigning cats and dogs – and a whole menagerie of other animals, a veritable garden of Eden as Thomas is asked to consider where his loyalties lie (he’s even proffered an apple at one point, just to hammer the idea home).
Cromwell – almost by accident – begins to make himself invaluable to his king. ‘May I speak?’ he asks hesitantly, only to be met with a snort from Henry. ‘God, I wish someone would’, is the reply.

read the full versions of the reviews on damian-lewis.com 

see here the trailer and clip for next week!!!!!! looks already very very promising

Pic of the day

Pillars of the community review special tea and a mag

five star review

Although written in 1877, Ibsen's play has the shock of the new. That is partly because, aside from an RSC revival 28 years ago, it has had startlingly few recent productions. But it's also because Ibsen's assault on the capitalist ethic and the mendacity of power still seems as potent as ever.

Ibsen's hero, Karsten Bernick, is a thriving shipbuilder in a small Norwegian town. But his whole life and career is built on a network of lies. Fifteen years before the play's action, he allowed his wife's brother, Johan, to take the rap for a sexual and financial scandal.

He also jilted the formidable Lona Hassel to make a loveless marriage with her half-sister. When Johan and Lona return from America, he is threatened with the exposure of his life-lies; and even his plan to make a killing from a new railway is revealed to be based on corrupt insider dealing.

What Ibsen shows us is Bernick's eventual moral awakening; but he does so with his unique mix of irony and ingenuity. "Destroy me and you destroy the town's future," cries Bernick at one point, thus proving that civic patriotism is the last resort of the scoundrel.

But Ibsen shows the noose tightening round Bernick's neck with diabolical skill. At one point Ibsen's hero hopes to despatch his unwanted brother-in-law on a rotten vessel little realising that the floating coffin contains unforeseen human cargo.

But the virtue of Marianne Elliott's stupendous Lyttelton production, and of Samuel Adamson's new version, is that they add to the intensity of Ibsen's irony. As Bernick finally lines up alongside the other civic worthies, I was reminded of Festen in which unpalatable truths are only revealed under extreme pressure. Even Bernick's confession of his sins becomes a double-edged affair in which he ensures he retains effective control of the town's financial future. Elliott also grasps Ibsen's peculiar blend of naturalism and symbolism. Rae Smith's design begins with a realistic image of women busily sewing in a sunlit garden room. But, with each successive scene, the set is stripped bare in accordance with the gradual exposure of Bernick's conscience. By the end we are left with the spotlit image of Lona Hassel and the thunderous sound of a train symbolising the advance of industrial capitalism.

Damian Lewis captures perfectly Bernick's blend of bravado and cowardice: even the way he checks behind every door before confronting Johan reveals his essential furtiveness. Lesley Manville also plays Lona superbly as a mixture of feminist free spirit and Bernick's hidden conscience. And there is prime support from Brid Brennan as his self-sacrificing sister who gave up life for teaching, from Joseph Millson as the angry Johan and from Michael Thomas as a pontificating teacher. But the real joy lies in seeing a virtually unknown Ibsen work rescued from the shadows and shown to be a resonant play for today.