Daz Gale — Theater Critic

Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss lead the four strong cast with the two main roles (Electra/Elisabeth and Clytemnestra/Alma) but which role does each actress play? Well, that very much depends on the night. Each performance starts with the two actresses in the audience announcing that it will be decided on a coin toss. Either Blanchett or Hoss chooses heads or tails, and the victor gets to choose which role they perform that night. If that sounds a bit gimmicky, it is very much deliberate and the reasoning for this becomes far more apparent as the play progresses.

Paddington’s story has been adapted for the stage by Jessica Swale with such care, it feels impossible to imagine any way this could have been done better. All of the heart and warmth you would associate with Paddington are all here in great supply, along with some fresh ideas that feel fitting for the theatre. Making theatre itself a small part of the story is an inspired touch, leading to a delightful show within a show routine, while a smattering of jokes designed to tickle adults will fly over the heads of younger audience members without the risk of them asking what it means, but ensures this is a show for everybody.