Stoppard isn’t for everyone, but I fell in love with his plays when I saw The Coast of Utopia at the National Theatre years ago. Most of it went over my head, but I knew that it was something very very special. And that is exactly how Travesties feels - like you are witnessing something very very special indeed.
I first saw this production at the Menier and, although I slightly preferred this production in the intimacy of that venue, very little has been lost in its transfer to the West End. Everyone is wonderful in this production, as it is a true collection of talent that adorns the stage, but Tom Hollander is absolutely brilliant as Henry Carr. From the moment he first appears there is magic as he is unbelievably and indescribably talented. It is a privilege and a joy to watch him perform and he leads the cast magnificently through the reminiscent.
You need to have a vast knowledge to truly appreciate and understand the depth of Stoppard’s plays, but that doesn’t detract from being able to enjoy it when you have no idea what something is - that is one of a great things about Stoppard plays; it is still accessible even if you don’t fully understand it. The only thing I would say about this play, however, is that it really does help if you know The Importance of Being Earnest - my brother did struggle a bit without knowing Earnest, but he still enjoyed the show.
This is definitely a show I would recommend, not only for the clever and witty script, but also to see a true maestro at work.