The Grapes of Wrath London Reviews and Tickets

74%

(22 Ratings)

Positive

64%

Mixed

36%

Negative

Members say

Ambitious, Great staging, Absorbing, Great acting, Slow

About the Show

Joads' Great Depression odyssey: shattered dreams, enduring spirit in an epic tale of survival.

The Grapes of Wrath, a poignant reimagining of the great American novel, unfolds the Joad family's compelling odyssey during the heart-wrenching era of the Great Depression. Forced to traverse the country in pursuit of a promised land, they embark on an epic journey, navigating through false hopes, wrong turns, and shattered dreams in their quest for a better life in California. Directed by Carrie Cracknell and brought to life through Frank Galati’s award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, this deeply atmospheric narrative captures the enduring spirit of the human condition amidst adversity.

Tony Award-winner Cherry Jones delivers a captivating performance as Ma Joad, portraying the matriarch's strength and resilience. The story becomes a hymn to human kindness, highlighting the indomitable will of the Joads as they face a hostile climate, weaving a powerful and moving tapestry of struggle, survival, and the relentless pursuit of a place to call home.

Show-Score Member Reviews (22)

82%

Absorbing, Great Acting, Great Staging, Great Writing, Intense

See it if You like great staged productions of classic, if depressing, literature

Don't see it if You want anything feel good or pacey

60%

Ambitious

See it if You like Steinbeck

Don't see it if You want to stay engaged for the whole thing

69%

Clever, Delightful, Entertaining

See it if you appreciate history and a dynamic set/stage. The transitions of props and embedded elements were amazing. The singing band were good too

Don't see it if You like shows with high momentum, it took a bit of time to reach a climax or momentous part of the story

85%

Absorbing, Ambitious, Hopeful, Relevant, Resonant

See it if You like Steinbeck and ambitious attempts to translate literature into theatre. Underlying pain but beautiful. Wonderful musical interludes.

Don't see it if You want to feel-good or be uplifted by the ending. This is about the human spirit and endeavouring to survive and remaining hopeful.

65%

See it if you haven't read the book and won't read the book.

Don't see it if you have read the book and seen the movie. Not much is added by watching this.

100%

Great Acting, Great Singing, Great Staging, Great Writing, Must See

See it if You love a greatly written play that invokes a variety if emotion with an underscore of beautiful quality

Don't see it if you don't like long focused plays about the American dream or don't like topless men

50%

Great Acting, Great Singing, Great Staging, Overrated, Slow

See it if 1. You're a fan of Steinbeck; 2. Desire a creative refresh of the great depression; and 3. Cool technical stage and props(the swimming pool!

Don't see it if 1. Dragging music 'the People' is repeated 50x; 2. Sensitive to nudity; and 3. Are short (your neck will ache if in stalls A-F).

80%

Great Acting, Relevant, Riveting, Slow

See it if you'd like a complex blend of themes like hope, misery, family, community, and inequality

Don't see it if you don't like a plot line that's too flat - this play has a long series of hardships of many sorts but lacks intensity at any point