A Life of Galileo

Evening Standard“We roll easily through the years and the cities of Italy...” All of Brecht’s tropes are present and correct in Mark Ravenhill’s slick new translation and it’s heartening to see Silbert flirting with them playfully rather than cowering from them as too many directors do...

Exeunt“A truly great modern classic...” On occasion, the supporting cast is a little underwhelming, but with McDiarmid at the centre this doesn’t feel like much of an issue. I also wouldn’t mind a little more chutzpah...

The Independent“A sharp new adaptation by Mark Ravenhill that emphasises the dark comedy...” The rapping blasphemous carnival intended to show the sacrilegious impact of Galileo's discoveries on the social order comes over more as a wild end-of-term romp than (in either sense of term) a riot...

The Stage“The production is at its strongest when at its stillest...” Silbert’s production is given an unexpected extra frisson of topicality by its scenes depicting the physical frailty of the aging Pope - elsewhere there are passages of carnivalesque energy, the stage erupting with movement and music...

The Telegraph“Lively and moving production which makes big ideas zing and sing...” The show works, thanks to the vitality of Roxana Silbert’s staging and Ravenhill’s nifty and highly theatrical script, which pares down Brecht’s sometimes interminable speeches while retaining their essence...

Guardian“Debate about scientific morality rendered with such pellucid swiftness...” The real pleasure of Roxana Silbert's modern-dress RSC revival and Mark Ravenhill's slimmed-down translation lies in the absolute clarity with which they put Brecht's masterpiece before us...

Whatsonstage.com“A strong and engaging production of a strong and engaging new translation..” As ever with the RSC, the quality of the craft in terms of set, costume and lighting design is top notch. The same is also true of the music (composed by Nick Powell) – which honours Brecht's long-time collaboration with Kurt Weill...