The Aviva-sponsored play "Rock ‘n' Roll" opened to rave reviews. The new play by Tom Stoppard at the Royal Court theatre features a cast that includes Brian Cox, Sinead Cusack and Rufus Sewell.
The Aviva-sponsored play "Rock ‘n' Roll" opened to rave reviews. The new play by Tom Stoppard at the Royal Court theatre features a cast that includes Brian Cox, Sinead Cusack and Rufus Sewell.
Set in Prague and Cambridge, "Rock 'n' Roll" spans the recent history of Czechoslovakia - and includes music from the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.
The subject drew former Czech president (and a playwright himself) Vaclav Havel, to whom Stoppard has dedicated the play, Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour went to the play's world premiere.
The Daily Telegraph reviewer said: "I have never left a new play more convinced that I just witnessed a masterpiece", while The Guardian described it as "a brilliant exploration of liberty, rebellion and identity that captures the spirit of the Sixties, from the Prague underground to the fragile genius of Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett."
The website Whatsonstage.com has a video review of the play, but this is what some of the actors and audience had to say on the opening night:
- Kim Cattrall: "I think it is a phenomenal play - it touches you deeply and makes you think"
- Janet Suzman: "The acting is absolutely stunning"
- Brian Cox: "It's like a rock concert"
- Vaclav Havel (former Czech president): "It was very moving for me"
- David Tennant (Dr Who): "There is something brilliantly accessible about this"
- Trevor Eve: "It's the third time I've seen it and you can just go on seeing it and seeing it - there are so many layers."
The play itself is now sold-out, and will transfer to the West End at the end of its run.