SOURCE: Torrens, James. “The Bard Still Pleases.” America 170 (15-22 January 1994): 15.

In the following review, Torrens praises Michael Langham's National Theatre production of Timon of Athens, claiming that “against all odds” it enthralled Broadway audiences.

The National Actors Theatre, promoted by Tony Randall, is now in its third season, after a faltering start (but a brilliant Saint Joan last year). It aims to keep the classics of drama alive on Broadway, and at modest prices.

This season opened with Timon of Athens, a late play by Shakespeare about a rich man, prodigally generous, who turns sour and vindictive when the recipients of his bounty reject him in his need. Strange scheduling choice, Timon of Athens. It has the stiffness of a morality play, yet against all odds it enthralls the Broadway audience.

Perhaps Bertold Brecht is to be thanked for having changed audience expectations with his Theater of Alienation...