Reviews: The Grapes of Wrath Faces London Critics

The Verdict

Reviews: The Grapes of Wrath Faces London Critics

Cherry Jones leads the revival of Frank Galati’s Tony-winning play at the National.

A new revival of The Grapes of Wrath opened at London’s National Theatre July 31, and the reviews are in. With Cherry Jones leading the company as Ma Joad, the new staging of Frank Galati’s Tony-winning adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel began previews July 17 on the U.K. company’s Lyttleton stage, and performances will continue through September 14.

The story follows the Joad family as they’re forced on an epic journey across America in hopes of finding work and a new life in California. Carrie Cracknell is directing the play, which premiered on Broadway in 1990.

Joining Jones are Zoë Aldrich, Afolabi Alli, Rhys Bailey, Rachel Barnes, Brandon Bassir, Lin Blakley, Tom Bulpett, Morgan Burgess, Ryan Ellsworth, Amelia Gabriel, Christopher Godwin, Valentine Hanson, Greg Hicks, Harley Johnston, Natey Jones, William Lawlor, Mirren Mack, Maimuna Memon, Matthew Romain, Anish Roy, Michael Shaeffer, Robyn Sinclair, Tucker St Ivany, Emma Tracey, Harry Treadaway, and Cath Whitefield.

Read the reviews below.

The Guardian (Arifa Akbar)

The Independent (Alice Saville)

London Theatre (Julia Rank)

LondonTheatre1 (Chris Omaweng)

The Stage (Dave Fargnoli)*

The Standard (Nick Curtis)

The Times (Dominic Maxwell)

WhatsOnStage (Alun Hood)

*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.

Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.

The production features scenic design by Alex Eales, costume design by Evie Gurney, music by Stuart Earl, lighting design by Guy Hoare, sound design by Donato Wahrton, movement direction by Ira Mandela Siobhan, music direction by Osnat Schmool, and intimacy coordination by Katharine Hardman for EK Intimacy. Casting is by Alastair Coomer and Naomi Downham.

Visit NationalTheatre.org.uk.