Duet For One

This show has now closed, click here for a listing of current and future London shows

Previewed 7 May 2009, opened 12 May 2009, closed 1 August 2009 at the Vaudeville Theatre in London

A major revival of Tom Kempinski's gripping and deeply moving psychological drama Duet for One in London starring Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman.

"A superb production enhanced by performances of overwhelming emotional power and conviction by Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodmand. A triumph" The London Evening Standard

Stephanie Abrahams, a brilliant concert violinist, who seemingly has it all, is forced to re-evaluate her life when struck down by an unforeseen tragedy. Faced with a truth too difficult to comprehend she consults psychiatrist Dr Feldmann and through a series of highly charged encounters is led to examine her deepest emotions and finally to consider a future without music.

"A beautifully nuanced and moving duet" The Financial Times

Duet for One comes to London's West End Vaudeville Theatre from 7 May 2009 following a criticaly acclaimed run at the Almeida Theatre in North London earlier this year. Duet for One in London stars Juliet Stevenson as 'Stephanie Abrahams' and Henry Goodman as 'Dr. Alfred Feldmann'. The production is directed by Matthew Lloyd with designs by Lez Brotherston and lighting by Jason Taylor.

"Sublime" The Daily Telegraph

"What's clever and winning is that Kempinski's two-hander starts by questioning psychoanalysis. Dr Feldmann is hilariously annoying in his professional habits, offering the talking cure yet refusing to converse normally, staring at his brogues whenever his patient pauses and expects an answer... What's really riveting about Matthew Lloyd's production is that both his stars are on scintillating form. This has to be one of the treats of the year, in terms of acting." The Independent on Sunday

"In Matthew Lloyd's fine revival there is a perfect balance between the superb performances of Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman. These are two actors at the top of their game. A riveting evening" The Guardian

"The astonishing quality of Matthew Lloyd's revival of Duet For One significantly deepens and intensifies Tom Kempinski's play... You won't find more complex and compelling performances than these. Henry Goodman delivers a masterclass in intense listening; wheelchair-bound Juliet Stevenson snaps ferociously and hurls insults and charges at the shrink like a delinquent in a dodgem car. It must transfer to the West End." The Mail on Sunday

"Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman bring an intense, riveting humanity to it that held me spellbound" The Sunday Express

"Matthew Lloyd's beautifully attentive production of Duet for One is lit up by Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman... The play is rendered in a series of psychiatric consultations which produce gnomic talk about 'inner work' and some biographical excavation that comes as more of a surprise to the characters than the spectators... Yet such is the intricacy of Goodman's and Stevenson's performances that the most broadbrush of episodes look precise." The Observer

Tom Kempinski's play Duet for One originally premiered in London at the Bush Theatre in 1980 before transferring to The Duke of York's Theatre where it run for ten months up to July 1981. The play enjoyed a three week season on Broadway in December 1981 and was made into a film in 1986 with Julie Andrews as 'Stephanie' and Max von Sydow as 'Dr Feldmann', the cast also included Alan Bates.

Duet For One in London at the Almeida Theatre previewed 22 January 2009, opened 29 January 2009 and closed 14 March 2009 folowing which the production went on a short regional tour visiting The Theatre Royal Bath, The Theatre Royal Windsor and The Richmond Theatre before transferring to the Vaudeville Theatre in London with previewed from 7 May 2009, opened on 12 May 2009 and closed on 1 August 2009.