British Comedy Guide

Aidan McArdle

  • Actor

Press clippings

The Crown Jewels review

After a West-End run, this should have found its feet by now. Instead, style over substance and puerile, teenage humour makes for a frustrating experience where what should have been a jewel of a show turns out to be a right royal let-down.

Lou Steggals, North West End UK, 21st September 2023

The Crown Jewels review

Overall it's such a disappointment to see a production that promised so much, fail to deliver, and whilst there are laughs to be had they aren't as frequent or funny as they need to be.

Matthew Forrest, The Reviews Hub, 21st September 2023

The Crown Jewels review

Survives on the energy of its comedians, and the competence of the rest of the cast.

Dominica Plummer, The Spy In The Stalls, 9th August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

Ultimately, The Crown Jewels is a glorified faux panto: it neither delivers on satirical wit nor offers enough audience participation. Unlike Blood's doomed attempt at a momentous act of theft, this comedy only succeeds in robbing the audience blind.

James Humphrey, The Upcoming, 7th August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

A coronation year romp anyway.

theatreCat, 4th August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

"Punishingly painful ragamuffin of a play".

Neil Norman, The Daily Express, 3rd August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

Playwright Simon Nye (mainly) sticks to the facts, and if you need convincing, the programme gives the real history in lively detail.

Howard Loxton, British Theatre Guide, 3rd August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

Al Murray stars in The Crown Jewels, a comedy that lacks sparkle.

Sarah Hemming, The Financial Times, 2nd August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

This real-life audacious heist story should have an abundance of comedy riches to exploit, but instead The Crown Jewels never manages to shimmer.

Theatre Weekly, 1st August 2023

The Crown Jewels review

Al Murray saves the king, but not quite the show in royal heist comedy.

Liam O'Dell, Liam O'Dell, 29th July 2023

Share this page