Review: As Is at Trafalgar Studios 2

As Is
Trafalgar Studios 2
Reviewed on Saturday 4th July 2015
★★★★

Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary since premiering in New York, William M. Hoffman's play As Is remains an incredibly important piece of theatre. Tackling all sorts of issues and stereotypes surrounding AIDS, the piece both raises and answers important questions.

The stellar cast bring great humanity to the piece which has been staged with style by director Andrew Keates. Steven Webb stars as a young gay writer living in New York during the eighties. He has recently found out he is HIV-positive and faces all sort of hurdles with family, friends and relationships.

Keates' production is packed with emotional peaks; Hoffman's writing is often quick witted and the cast pitch the comedy perfectly, but it is also incredibly moving - many around me were sobbing throughout the second act. It's vital that audiences take a risk to see something like As Is. It is hugely poignant, injected with heart and performed superbly. 

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

As Is runs at Trafalgar Studios 2 until 1st August 2015.
Please visit www.atgtickets.com for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Scott Rylander

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