Last of the Haussmans
Lyttleton, London

This is an impressive debut from actor turned writer Stephen Beresford.  Beresford has created believable characters that one could relate to and empathise with.  He makes some convincing nuanced arguments about 60s dream, albeit through reliance on hackneyed revelations.  Delivered by a superb cast of Julie Walters (Judy), Rory Kinnear (Nick) and Helen McCrory (Libby), his lines were witty and at times hard hitting.  "While you were wanking into chrysanthemums, Margaret Thatcher was making her entrance!" Nicky's vivid phrase sent audience howling.  Rory played the gay kohl-eyed son with much sensitivity but with stereotypical campness.  Helen McCrory really carries the evening as the daughter who views her mother with a mix of vulnerability, vituperative anger and exasperated affection.   Theatre would not be complete without hysterics accompanied by decibels of shouting and buckets of tears, amply provided by Libby's angsty daughter.  Her overacting contrasted sharply by the rather wooden acting from a good looking swimmer who fancies Libby.  Walters plays a hippie mum who still lives in her fantasy world of 60s 'me' generation whose self fettered interest wreaked emotional havoc on her children.  Walters seizes the role with much relish, thumping her breasts and flashing at her high-rised neighbours,.  We hope we won't have to wait another 12 years to see Walters back on stage again.