See it if you like different stories told in a venue around which many of the stories unfolded and are a fan of Zadie Smith's writing
Don't see it if you are prudish or looking for something classic or mind a bit of magical exploration
See it if You enjoy masterclass in a reimagined tale & ‘The Wife’ sharing her knowledge & her truth. Entertaining, unique & good fun.
Don't see it if you don’t enjoy reimagined/reinvented/remixed theatre. Contains adult themes/bad language
See it if You like the diverse cultures of london the same way chancer intended with a modern language
Don't see it if You don't like chancer
See it if you are looking for a comedic adaptation of the Wife of Bath, this play is a reimagination of the story that promotes female empowerment
Don't see it if you don't understand 90s British references, if you are not a fan of the Wife of Willesden book, and if you are put off by strong females
See it if you enjoy music and a good laugh. The cast was brilliant and the time went by so quickly. You must see it before it ends.
Don't see it if you are easily embarrassed. There are a lot of references in regards to sex. Everything was done in a nice way and there's no nudity.
Indhu Rubasingham’s production is full of brio and unpretentiously immersive, the supporting ensemble enlisting our sympathy with sidelong glances and sheepish grins. This is a bizarre and uneven evening, but in a good way.
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You could make a case for ‘The Wife of Willesden’ as the world’s coolest Middle English lecture: even if you don’t feel like you’ve learned about Chaucer, you will have done.
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Presented in association with Brent Borough of Culture, The Wife of Willesden is a celebration of community and local legends, of telling a good story and living a life worth telling. Not bad for an original text that’s 600 years old.
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In The Wife of Willesden, [Zadie Smith's] debut play, a modern version of one of the Canterbury Tales, Smith’s talent for mixing high and low is at full power.
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