‘They push themselves physically and are also psychologically compelling, with the bellowing pace giving way to moments of silence that are emotionally deafening.’
‘This is theatre at its simplest and finest’
★★★★★ LAURA VOGELS - PLAYS TO SEE
‘There’s a gorgeously poetic quality to Knowles’ dialogue, especially in the cast’s rapid-fire, rhythmic delivery.’
‘There’s a great sense of a raging autonomous war with a free will of its own in Operation Crucible.’
VERITY HEALY - EXEUNT MAGAZINE
‘The camaraderie of the work teams, the excitement and searing heat of the foundry, the indomitable spirit and humour of working-class communities is all gloriously evoked.’
★★★★ JONATHAN BROWN - THE INDEPENDENT
‘Operation Crucible is a show that must be seen. This New York Times Critics Pick deserves its many accolades. The play is an unforgettable and affecting theatre experience.’
MARINA KENNEDY - BROADWAY WORLD
‘The play’s currency cannot be understated and for that reason and its thrilling execution, it should be seen.’
‘It is hard to think of another play that captures so efficiently the dividing, before and after, of war’s devastation. A wealth of research obviously informs his script, yet it is woven with a confident seamlessness into a story of men who, for much of our time with them, can barely see what’s in front of them.’
‘While celebrating the men’s courage, Knowles also shows how, in the crisis of enforced incarceration, their solidarity breaks down: a fight erupts over Phil’s desire to be with his family, and the men’s private fears and dreams come bubbling to the surface. This is worlds away from the cheerful camaraderie of the standard British war movie.’
★★★★
MICHAEL BILLINGTON - THE GUARDIAN
‘A taut, atmospheric study of masculinity, pressure and pride.’
★★★★
’What this play creates most strongly, though, is the pride of working class men in their work in the steel industry and the city they live in, a pride that once seemed unassailable. I was so drawn in that it seemed strange to walk the peacetime city’s bustling streets afterwards.’
JULIA ARMSTRONG - SHEFFIELD STAR
‘Both a stirring historical lesson and a powerful human experience.’
‘A reminder of both our humanity and our capacity for brutality.’
‘This is very assured and mature writing for a first play.’
★★★★ TIM HOCHSTRASSER - BRITISHTHEATRE.COM
‘Americans are likely to find themselves caught up in a war story that is not about heroic battle scenes, but about the collateral damage of war on noncombatant civilians.’
HOWARD MILLER - TALKIN’ BROADWAY
‘This is live theatre at its best.’
★★★★ VELDA HARRIS - BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
‘This really is theatre at its absolute best’
★★★★★ TERRY EASTHAM - LONDON THEATRE 1
‘A compelling theatrical experience. Beautifully produced.’