Bakersfield Mist

...Duchess Theatre, Covent Garden

‘Multi-award winner’ Kathleen Turner’s performance in this play, a one-scene dialogue lasting 90 minutes without a break, was no more than competent and what a shame she mumbled. By contrast, the performance of ‘Olivier and Tony award-winner’ (whatever that means) Ian McDiarmid had élan. If you can see only one play in the West End over the summer months, don’t choose this.

‘Inspired by true events, this new play by Stephen Sachs asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. BAKERSFIELD MIST marks the return to the London stage of multi award-winner Kathleen Turner for the first time since her tour-de-force performance in Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She will play opposite Olivier and Tony award-winner Ian McDiarmid (Life of Galileo, Faith Healer) directed by Evening Standard award-winner, Polly Teale.

Maude, a fifty-something unemployed bartender, has bought a painting for a few bucks from the thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she now thinks it's a Jackson Pollock worth millions. In fact she's certain it is. But when world-class art expert, Lionel Percy, flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer park home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he really has no idea what he is about to discover.’ Duchess Theatre website.