Lillian Hellman's 1934 melodrama The Children's Hour, about two schoolteachers accused of lesbianism, was banned from the British stage until 1960. But times have changed and audiences have embraced the L word—at least when celebrities are involved. A recent revival starring Elisabeth Moss, Keira Knightley, and Ellen Burstyn has been a sensation in London, where, Ben Brantley reports, "audiences are lining up, and paying top scalper prices, for the privilege of watching them squirm, seethe and turn deathly pale. Which they do, by the way, most convincingly."
Brantley's review is just one of many raves for the production, which the Independent deems "far from perfect" but "atmospheric, slow-burning and ultimately enthralling... This is a powerful night in the West End and Knightley has impressively won her theatrical spurs." The production has been extended multiple times, and according to Brantley it's reportedly goin' to Broadway! With any luck, opening night won't conflict with Spider-Man's official opening night.
