I wouldn't like to upset Bloom's admirers, but in my humble opinion he doesn't contribute at all to the performance, except for being an audience attraction. Vast majority of those, who come to see "In Celebration", come to stare at Bloom, actually. And this is frustrating, because play is really great, it's worth watching, and others actors' performance is brilliant; Dearbhla Molloy and Paul Hilton made me cry twice 8)
And I didn't even have the chance to take their autographs, because the crowd outside the theatre wasn't caring for anybody alse except their pet and after the end of the play the crew has literally vanished.. Not Bloom, of course...

Pavlyna, Kyiv, Ukraine

When I heard that Orlando Bloom was in the West End, I bought tickets without even knowing the name of the play. However, after a few seconds of excitement when he came on the stage I soon forgot that he is a film star. I thought his performance as Steven was sensitive and compelling. He really got into Steven's troubled world.

I thought that the first act of the play drags slightly but it allows the audience to get a sense of the disparity between Mr Shaw's life and that of his successful sons. I enjoyed the second half immensely, I thought that the entire cast worked together very well. As Steven retreats into his own depression, Andrew seems to sap his energy and turn it into aggression against the rest of the family. I was intrigued by the clear underlying problems in the family. What is wrong with Steven? Why are they all so protective of their mother?
There were moments in the play when I felt it could turn into Pinter or Miller and I found the dance particularly disturbing

Maisie, London,

I think it was telling of tonight's performance that a ripple of sniggering laughter went through the audience when Orlando started crying. It seemed as though Bloom had been put in the crappest part simply by way of damage control - stop him acting and getting in the way of the others. The rest of the play was distinctly average but, for me, Bloom didn't come close to the dizzying heights of mediocrity. Trouble is, educated person that I am, I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have gone to see it without the publicity that Bloom brought.

Fergus, London,

Sorry. I saw the play at the Duke of York Theatre. I also saw the original play and it hasn't really aged that well. Deeply moving when I first saw it. A bit dreary now. Some fine performances, but, heaven help me, young Orlando Bloom has a lot of work to do to be a credible stage actor. Granted, he does have a voice. Stephen is a 'minor' character and there is little for him to do, but , for me., there was no stage presence evident, and he often looked very uncomfortable wondering what to do with his hands. It's infortunate that he has had all this hype and people expect so much. If he was another young jobbing actor we would wish him well on his journey to learn his craft. As it is, I fear the world of film has taken away the excitement and anticipation and innocence that makes working in the theatre as a young person, such a passion. I wish him well, and, if he wants to become a serious stage actor, I would suggest a few years in rep.

Jack, Doha, Qatar

Did we see the same play? Ok, the acting was good. But my God, was is banal. It reminded me of a Susan Hill short story. Bleak, odd and doesn't go anywhere. I almost cried from the boredom. The theatre was full of sychophants, obviously only there to see Orlando Bloom. Run away!

Sarah, London,

can not wait to see in celebreation. going to see it on the 15 september.

sinaed, oldham, uk

I'm glad to see at least one critic in the world has got the right idea about this play! Having seen the play myself, I find that I agree with everything Christopher Hart has said. Its good to know that there is one critic in the world who can not only give the play the review it deserves but has also noticed that Orlando Bloom is an excellent actor and has given him the recognition he deserves for his excellent work in what I deem to be a challenging role.

Charlotte, Corby,

Finally someone with some sense has written a decent review on Orlando Bloom's acting capabilities in this production. It had seemed to me, up to this point, that half the critics reviewing the play expected Orlando to fall flat on his face on stage. (Nevermind the fact that he spent the most influential portion of his young life training for precisely this sort of a role.) The other half seemed disappointed that Orlando was not playing a "staring" role, in which he commanded the stage and left the other members of the cast to sit in the sidelines. No one has seemed to grasp the fact that in an ensemble cast, there is not one prinical, but many. In accepting the role of Steven, Orlando was given the opportunity to prove to the world and himself that he was still doing what he wanted to do, and doing it well. And he has. Thank you for finally stating what the others were too calous to see: Orlando Bloom is truly an actor. Deserving of the repect his talent has affords him.

Serenity , Yuma, AZ