Timon of Athens

Financial Times (11Jan01): All lovers of Shakespeare will want to see the Royal Shakespeare Company s current production. And it will reward them. As Timon, [Michael Pennington] gives the most superlative demonstration of virtuoso, musicianly, intelligent verse-speaking to be heard in many seasons. What a beautiful voice; what an extraordinary range; what dazzling control.

The Daily Telegraph (11Jan01): In [Gregory Doran]'s brisk, supple, imaginative staging, the story unfolds with both dramatic power and sardonic humour. He makes marvellous use of the jazz score that Duke Ellington composed for a 1960s Canadian production, and there is an edge of camp, with both a drag ball and a saucy scene set in a sauna. Even as accomplished an actor as [Michael Pennington] can't quite disguise the monotony of Timon's misanthropy, but he beautifully captures the dangerous allure of death to the despairing. The supporting cast do wonders in fleshing out their insubstantial roles, with particularly fine work from the authoritative [John Woodvine] as Timon's movingly loyal steward. The great [Richard McCabe], is at his sneering best as Apemantus.

Daily Mail (11Jan01): In this splendidly austere revival by [Gregory Doran], [Michael Pennington] is simply magnificent: vocally supreme, acidly temperamental, and brimming with revealing, flawed self-centredness. There are three superb supporting performances: from [John Woodvine] as Timon's loyal steward, Flavius; [Richard McCabe] as the prophetic cynic Apemantus; and [Rupert Penry-Jones] as Alcibiades, hero-in-waiting to a timeless tragedy.