Venue Feedback
The production of Jekyll and Hyde brought an opportunity for the derelict fabric of Poltimore House to play a unique role in what has been the most successful production ever staged on site.
Simon Tootell, Visitor Service Manager at Poltimore House
Reviews
There’s only one problem with intimate and almost tangible theatre like this, the kind that which surrounds you, whisks you up and takes you with it – you won’t want to go back to sitting in an auditorium again.
Fran McElhone, Express & Echo
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/REVIEW-Jekyll-Hyde-Swords-Theatre-Poltimore-House/story-19934917-detail/story.html
Unmissable. Metamorphosis, murder and mayhem.
Anna Marks, RemoteGoat
http://www.remotegoat.com/uk/review_view.php?uid=10314
The best play I have seen in years.
Jenna Richards, Phonic FM
http://www.phonic.fm/2013/a-theatrical-journey-well-worth-taking
Audience Feedback
Been going to the theatre for over forty years and only four or five things really stand out. Jekyll and Hyde will join them because of the attention to detail and love you brought to it.
Audience member feedback
What an utterly incredible ruinous place! I was completely transported, I haven’t had such an intense theatre experience in such a long time and it’s so exciting to see something like that in the South West.
Audience member feedback
Fantastic atmospherics. Terrifying & engaging acting. Haunting music. All round brilliant. The one thing I miss most when I moved away from London is good, original, wyrd, fringe theatre… But you nasty lot have restored my faith in the Devon theatre scene! Bravo! More… More… More!!!
Audience feedback
Schools / Education Work
The children felt very special to have their own performance…
I won’t forget the horrified delight on their faces.
Teacher feedback, Clyst Vale Community College
This is such an amazing production… Our school is still raving about it!
Teacher feedback, Bishop Fox’s in Taunton
Between our vision of what classroom resources could be like and the Swords’ pioneering take on heritage texts, we have the best package of material I have ever been privileged to work on.
Martin Phillips, ex-Chief Examiner and Project Co-ordinator for Cambridge University Press
Venue Feedback
Just a quick note to once again say how much I enjoyed your performance.
Thank you for leaving everything so tidy, it was very much appreciated.
Cressida Peers, Events at Exeter Cathedral
Reviews
An impressive production that will live long in the memory.
Gordon Richardson, Express & Echo
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Review-Gawain-Green-Knight-Exeter-Phoenix/story-20397483-detail/story.html
Brilliant and immersive play… Like a child in a fantasy where they are transported into the TV suddenly there I was with a seat at King Arthur’s Round Table!
Jenna Richards, Phonic FM
http://www.phonic.fm/2013/brilliant-and-immersive-play
Audience Feedback
The puppet looked absolutely amazing! The whole performance just wove together really smoothly…
Audience member feedback
Superb perfomances from you all. Epic costumes, puppets, music, set, just wonderful.
Audience member feedback
Reviews
The company deserve huge applause – there were strong performances all round with too many stand-out moments to describe.
Anna Marks, Remotegoat
http://www.remotegoat.com/uk/review_view.php?uid=10946
The connected caves – complete with bats – echo with a constant drip-drip-drip, perfectly conjuring the chill dankness of a medieval Scottish castle.
Belinda Dillon, Exeunt Magazine
http://exeuntmagazine.com/reviews/macbeth-11/
Four of Swords is becoming renowned for staging fabulous productions in unusual locations and this was no exception… A brilliant reimagining.
Jenna Richards, Phonic FM
http://www.phonic.fm/2014/a-brilliant-reimagining-of-shakespeares-darkest-work
Audience Feedback
The acting was incredible and in that setting it felt as though we were really there. I love going to the theatre but that was one of the best performances I’ve seen. My husband isn’t a keen theatre person but absolutely loved it.
Audience feedback
Schools / Education Work
The best Impact Day we’ve ever had.
Teacher feedback, St Peter’s, Exeter
It has improved my understanding of the story immensely and I have many positive thoughts on old English literature and language after watching your play.
Audience feedback [Year 9 student]
Venue Feedback
I’ve never seen St Nicholas Priory look so atmospheric. It’s been lovely working with you and I hope we can work together again on a future project.
Jacqui Channon, Events at St Nicholas Priory & Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Reviews
The Medieval time warp they, and the dimly lit Priory created, was nothing short of sheer brilliance. The bounds of theatre experience have been well and truly broken and for that I thank Four of Swords.
Anita Merritt, Express & Echo
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Review-Faustus-St-Nicholas-Priory/story-23389348-detail/story.html
So – all in all – this Faustus is a great show sticking closely to Four of Swords winning formula. Thoroughly recommended and should provoke lots of lively debate and soul-searching… Five stars.
Anna Marks, Remote Goat
http://www.remotegoat.com/uk/review_view.php?uid=11464
Audience Feedback
The way you interpreted the play, and especially the use you made of the venue, was as exciting a piece of theatre as I have seen since McKellen’s “Lear”.
Audience feedback
I have never before come across anyone doing exactly what you do and it is just brilliant.
Audience feedback
Schools / Education Work
Sarah and Phil managed to encourage and motivate extremely challenging pupils. I have been so impressed with their materials, session content and presentation. Pupils expressed how ‘inspired’ they have been and all said it has been the highlight of their time at the Centre. This has certainly been the best project that I have worked with in school and I have been working as a teacher since 1983!!!
Teacher feedback, Central Devon Personalised Learning Service
Venue Feedback
This company certainly has done something very special: to use a building that we thought would be nothing for a few years yet, and to bring such pleasure.
Rolle Exmouth Limited committee
Reviews
This exuberant production from the excellent Four of Swords makes full and imaginative use of Rolle College.
Anne Broom, The Stage
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/jason-argonauts/
If you’re looking for an entertaining and intriguing evening of theatre that everyone can enjoy… this is highly recommended.
Ben Rodwell, Remote Goat
http://www.remotegoat.com/uk/review/12010/drums-drums-and-the-greeks/
Audience Feedback
Always thought provoking, never disappointing and fantastically good value, if Medea hadn’t lopped all my digits off, I’d be giving Jason and the Argonauts two massive thumbs up.
Audience feedback
My goodness! Ruddy amazing! The best thing I’ve ever seen – cheesy and probably cliché as it sounds, I was totally immersed. I would like to be able to add something constructive where things might have been improved but I can’t, of course I can’t, it was too brilliant. Actually, yes, it could be improved by following people on their way home and jumping out of bushes, telling them that the Gods were watching!
Audience feedback