Theatre Reviews
Recent Productions:
HAUNTED SHADOWS: THE GOTHIC TALES OF EDITH NESBIT
Performed at The White Bear and The Old Red Lion in Grimfest
★★★★ West End Best Friend
‘At the centre of the production is the impressive Amias, who brings each character to life brilliantly – the entire production rests on her ability to switch between roles with ease, and she doesn’t just perform, she shapeshifts. Every flicker of emotion, every shift in tone, every movement feels like a new character coming to life before your eyes. It’s a dazzling display of versatility, proving just how much storytelling magic one person can create.’.
Review: HAUNTED SHADOWS, White Bear Theatre | West End Best Friend
★★★★ The Reviews Hub
‘Claire Louise Amias plays [Edith] Nesbit, brilliantly mixing narrative verve with an undertow of dread and crawling malice‘
Haunted Shadows: The Gothic Tales of Edith Nesbitt – White Bear Theatre, London - The Reviews Hub
★★★★ London Theatre1
‘With the thrilling Haunted Shadows, the engaging Claire Louise Amias makes a convincing case for Edith Nesbit as the female master of the genre.’
Haunted Shadows: The Gothic Tales of Edith Nesbit | Review
★★★★ Once a Week Theatre
‘Good old-fashioned story-telling is the key to the success of this entertaining one-woman show … Amias’ narration is superb.’
“Haunted Shadows” at the Old Red Lion Theatre - Theatre reviews by Edward Lukes
London Pub Theatres Magazine
‘This one-woman play, masterfully performed by Clare Louise Amias.’
Fringe Biscuit
'Amias is a powerhouse performer. She is captivating from the moment she enters the stage, managing to convey terror, grief and foreboding in a way that isn’t overblown or melodramatic but still keeps you on the edge of your seat, frightened of seeing what she sees.’
PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward ★★★★★
Performed as part of the Paul Taylor-Mills Rep Season:
"Claire Amias appears to have played the role of Amanda many times – though that is not the case – so perfectly does she inhabit the role; the silvery laugh, the coquettish turn of the head, the look that kills – she is utterly joyful to watch."
PRIVATE LIVES - Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth - Theatre Plays
ROLEPLAY by Alan Ayckbourn ★★★★★
Performed at Theatre Royal Windsor and on Tour:
" If you ever want to see a great comedy drunk on stage, then watch Claire Louise Amias, as Justin’s Mother, Arabella; this is as good as it gets. Splayed limbs and head wobbling continually, this is sublime comedy acting."
ROLEPLAY - Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth - Theatre Plays
THE MASKS OF APHRA BEHN by Claire Louise Amias
Performed at the Jermyn Street and White Bear Theatres in London and on tour:
Everything Theatre ★★★★
"Claire Louise Amias gives a fabulous, warm performance as witty and entertaining Aphra Behn."
https://everything-theatre.co.uk/2023/01/review-the-masks-of-aphra-behn-white-bear-theatre/
Lost in Theatreland ★★★★
"Claire Louise Amias brings this wonderfully edgy women to life with brilliant wit and charm. She connects immediately with the audience verbally and with piercing looks that demand full attention. I found myself following every word she says and admiring the easiness with which Amias switches between the characters Behn encounters."
https://lostintheatreland.co.uk/review-the-masks-of-aphra-behn-white-bear-theatre/
London Theatre1 ★★★★
"Amias gives an engaging performance... wholly convincing".
https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/the-masks-of-aphra-behn-at-the-white-bear-theatre/
CALIFORNIA SUITE by Neil Simon
Performed at New Theatre Peterborough and on tour
Reviewsgate ★★★★★
“Claire Louise Amias brings out all the humour in Diana and the mass
of insecurities she has in herself and her life...
This is acting of the highest standard."
PRESENT LAUGHTER by Noel Coward
Performed at Chesterfield Pomegranate in the
Paul Taylor Mills Summer Rep Season:
Reviewsgate ★★★★
“Claire Louise Amias is excellent as Essendine’s
strong-minded wife who knows just how to organise him"
ORANGES & INK by Claire Louise Amias
Performed at the Tristan Bates Theatre in the West End in March
to April 2019. Claire played Aphra Behn in a two-hander about
her friendship with Nell Gwyn:
Theatre Va-Va-Voom
“Amias takes the role of Behn, creating a shrewd and noble
pragmatist. In this captivating performance she is waspish and daring too."
Phoenix FM ★★★★
“Amias shows just what a talented actor can do with our emotions."
The very talented Amias switches between characters as Behn narrates and then brings in lovers, spies and even King Charles. She clearly and skillfully changes both voice and body language, and her changes are equally entertaining, leading to more than one laugh. Amias, wearing a simple dress and fabulous shoes by Anna Sørensen Sargent, embodies Aphra Behn. She is warm and charming, welcoming audience members as if they were her contemporaries.
Plays to See ★★★★
“Amias performs the part of Behn with energy and flair as her own quick-witted lines demand."
WOMEN OF TWILIGHT by Sylvia Rayman
Claire played Vivianne in the revival of Women of Twilight
at The Pleasance, London. There were two previous runs of the
hit 1950s play, performed by 11 F, at the White Bear Theatre:
The Guardian
“Claire Louise Amias is magnificent as Vivianne."
What's On London
“Claire Louise Amias’ underplaying is masterful ... Amias deserves
recognition for one of the most affecting female portrayals you will see anywhere."
Everything Theatre ★★★★
“Claire Louise Amias as Vivianne was sensational ... the emotion was so raw and powerful that many in the audience were wiping their eyes ... It is rare to see acting
with such real and intense emotion."
The Reviews Hub ★★★★
“Claire Louise Amias is outstanding as a woman despised for loving a man condemned by the rest of the world."
Female Arts ★★★★
“Beautifully observed and sympathetically played ... one must give credit to Claire Louise Amias for her uninhibited and extremely moving portrayal of the complex Vivianne."
Off-Stage Magazine ★★★★
“Every one of the actors is well cast. All of them deserve a credit, especially Claire Louise Amias whose RADA training shines through."
Remotegoat ★★★★
“There are fine performances throughout from the all female cast ... Claire Louise Amias rises to the challenge of taking Vivianne from brittle victim to supportive sister to reinvigorated steely avenger."
The Stage
“Claire Louise Amias and Elizabeth Donnelly are warmly convincing as heroines and friends Vivianne and Christine."
Curtainly
“Special mention goes to the quietly intense, deeply felt performance of Claire Louise Amias."
London Grip
“Particularly outstanding are Elizabeth Donnelly and Claire Louise Amias as Christine and Vivianne, two of the mothers who strike up an unlikely friendship."