Passing By

by Martin Sherman
Tristan Bates Theatre
5 - 30 November 2013

“Love isn’t forever. Love is just passing by…”

Set in New York in 1972, Passing By is a charming romantic comedy about the love between two men whose hearts pull them together as their lives pull them apart.

In 2012, Arion Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre, revived Passing By to sell-out audiences, and that production transferred to the Tristan Bates Theatre, supported by Arts Council England.

“As we’ve come to expect from an Andrew Keates production, it’s directed with a delicacy of touch and a firm handle on pace, bringing the story fully to life.”
“Passing By is a terrific revival of a great play. If you haven’t seen it before, don’t pass up this opportunity.”
★★★★★ Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus 

“As one of the very first plays to treat gay relationships as unapologetically equal, Passing By’s place in the history of gay theatre deserves wider recognition. Andrew Keates’ masterful revival should therefore be a source of pride, in every sense.”
Scott Matthewman, The Stage

“Just like their love, both characters are full of flaws which are deftly drawn with tenderness and charm under the direction of Andrew Keates”
“When so much in London is dominated by the bombast of bigger shows, the intimacy of small theatre effects style a different, more vital style of acting not to be missed.”
★★★★ Anna Savva, The Lady

“The acting is impeccably intelligent. Both men play expertly off each other and use silence and pace to achieve an unusually accomplished balance between poignancy and humour.”
“Director Andrew Keates and his team, including Philip Lindley’s slightly shabby set so evocative of the 70s, get the tone absolutely right.”
★★★★★ Susan Elkin, WhatsOnStage

“a beautifully crafted, almost traditional, well-made play, shot through with warmth and emotional intelligence.”
“Sherman’s genius – not a word I use often – is to show the relationship not through sex, not through extravagant expressions of emotion, but through physical caring.”
“James Cartwright (Simon) and Rik Makarem (Toby) are beautifully cast as the contrasting lovers, and play off each other as if they’ve known each other all their lives. These are the nuanced, affectionate and committed performances the script deserves, and director Andrew Keates lays bare without fuss the subtext, what is said and felt in the space between the words.”
★★★★★ Peter Scott-Presland, Broadway Baby

“the perfect start to a date”
★★★★ Phil Wilmott, Attitude Magazine

“The performances are excellent, both in detail and what is not said”
“Beautifully directed by Andrew Keates”
“Grab a ticket and get along, a beautiful piece of theatre”
★★★★ Petra Schofield, Remotegoat

“Their love is extraordinary not because it is between two men but because it is so true”
“Keates handles the play with the delicacy and love it deserves and it shows – this is one of those rare and beautiful productions that demands recognition”
“What is unsubtle is the play’s unapologetic presentation of gay equality with one of the sweetest romances I’ve seen on stage yet”
★★★★ Rowena Hawkins, Plays To See

“Passing By is an enjoyable story which is performed brilliantly by Makarem and Cartwright, and which boasts strong directing and set design. The revival of this touching and heartwarming production is a credit to all involved. I found myself wishing it had lasted longer than 80 minutes.”
★★★★ Laura Jones, Everything Theatre

“a superb West End-quality production”
“Passing By has plenty of humour, but never to the expense of character development”
★★★★ Shona Barker, Views From the Gods

“a little gem of a production that tells the story of a brief affair between two gay men without any clichés or melodrama.”
“A heartfelt portrayal of a sensitive but complicated romantic encounter.”
Victoria Sadler, The Huffington Post