Three men and a woman are gathered around a conference table, looking deep in thought. The table is covered in documents that are spread open. The men all wear dark grey pin-striped suits, while the woman wears a bright red coat.>

'Informative and gripping': The Promise reviews and production photos

News 26 Jul 2024

News Story

The Promise is now playing in the Minerva Theatre until Saturday 17 August; read what critics are loving about it and see the 'brilliant cast' (The Latest) in action in the production photos. Paul Unwin's new drama delves into the political fight in 1945 to create something truly hopeful.

5 Stars

A towering production, so very timely and relevant, never releasing you from its grasp at any point. Quite honestly, it left me breathless.

Theatre SouthEast

4 Stars

Sharply focused... humorously captures the internal politics of this cabinet

The Stage

Simultaneously putting its finger on both our past and our present. This is relevant, intelligent theatre – informative and gripping

Chichester Observer

Riveting... Essential theatre-going

Fringe Review

A woman in a bright red coat stands behind a chair, resting her hands on its back. She looks out into the distance. Next to her, a man in a pin-striped suit is hunched over a stack of papers, which he reads intently.
Clare Burt (as Ellen Wilkinson) & Peter Hamilton Dyer (Richard Stafford Cripps) in The Promise at Chichester Festival Theatre Image: Helen Murray 2024

Clare Burt plays Ellen Wilkinson. Often forgotten, she was the only woman in prime minister Clement Attlee's cabinet and central to the struggle to found a welfare state.

Fascinating... a brilliant cast of accomplished performers bringing the characters vibrantly to life

The Latest

An older couple, smartly dressed, stand facing towards one another. Their heads are turned out to the audience. They look as if they are mid-discussion. To their left is a small table and a chair. A cherry blossom is projected behind them.
Andrew Woodall (Clement Attlee) & Suzanne Burden (Violet Attlee) in The Promise at Chichester Festival Theatre Image: Helen Murray 2024

Extremely interesting and engaging, letting us into a little of the life of a most amazing woman

British Theatre Guide

5 Stars

Hits you slam in the face right from the opening speech

Theatre SouthEast

A woman sits at the table in front of a typewriter, lit from above by a ceiling lamp, while a man is standing next to her. He is casually resting one hand on his hip and the other on the back of her chair. They are both smartly dressed in a 1940s style. They have light, joyful expressions.
Richard Harrington as Nye Bevan and Felixe Forde as Joan Vincent in The Promise at Chichester Festival Theatre Image: Helen Murray 2024

The Promise must end 17 August. Visit the show page to see the full set of production photos and book your tickets.

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