Two of Britain's best loved actresses, Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, appear on stage for the first time together in David Hare's new play, The Breath of Life.

Dame Judi plays novelist Francis Beale, who pays a visit to retired curator Madeleine Palmer, the former mistress of Beale's departed husband.

"The powerful clash of personalities and shared histories is so expertly calibrated that Hare's slightly over-schematic script unfolds with a tragic inevitability, " wrote the BBC's Mark Shenton.

But what do you think?

What do you think of the pairing of two great British actresses? Does it matter if critics don't like the play? If you have seen it, do the performances and script live up to expectation?

I was privileged to see this play, and if there is one play that you should pay money to see it is this one. Dame Judi gave her usual brilliant display, but it was actually Maggie Smith who captivated the audience. The chemistry between the actresses was key, and their delivery so natural yet scintillating. The script is obviously excellent but what makes this play is the acting - I loved it!
Dina, UK

I was surprised by your embarrassingly gushing review on this site. My wife and I both agreed that we found little to take away from this dull non-play other than the thrill of seeing the two women on stage.
Tom, UK

It is a shame when people are held up as being "national treasures" and no one can see beyond that. They cannot see the play, the script and they just go to swoon over the icon. It has happened over and over again recently. Madonna, Paltrow, Kidman... how often do we get treated to the great Dench and Smith treading our West End boards? Not often is the answer. So when they do people gasp in awe. Instead look at the play. It is frankly poor. Don't get all excited over these women. Instead look at what the play holds for you if it was two normal unknowns. You would not be happy bunnies.
Katy, UK

I really don't think The Breath Of Life as a play deserves all the criticism it is receiving. With Maggie Smith and Judi Dench executing some of the finest acting ever to grace the London stage, it does not matter that the play itself is not an instant classic. It is superbly written with beautifully contrasting moments of biting observational comedy and tear-jerking human drama. Had it been penned by a less acclaimed writer than David Hare, I feel it would have been hailed as a triumph. I

enjoyed the lack of actual action which allowed one to concentrate on the splendid performances, with Smith handling the better dialogue of the two characters with her customary and inimitable aplomb, and Dench bringing tears to the eyes (her own as well as the audiences!) with her moving portrayal. All in all, this is a magnificent evening's entertainment and I would strongly urge anyone who might have the chance to attend this near sell-out run to grasp it with both hands, and you will not be disappointed.
Dominic Khouri, UK

Maggie Smith makes Judi Dench look "ordinary" which, as a Judi Dench fan, I never thought I would say. The play itself is good but not brilliant and is only worth seeing for the magnificent performance of Dame Maggie.
Rosemary, UK

Two great performances, but one flat script. Maggie Smith gives us her "Maggie Smith" and does it superbly, while Judi Dench gets a slightly wider range of emotions to portray. What a shame that the play itself goes nowhere. It neither entertains nor illuminates. The last act (of four) positively drags, as the non-plot reaches a non-resolve. We've come to expect far, far more of David Hare, but the Dames do not disappoint, despite the handicap of the material.
Steve Bustin, UK

My partner and I travelled to London especially to see this play, and we weren't disappointed. Both actresses performances were of the highest calibre, and it was an amazing evening of theatre.
Scott Safier, USA

Seeing two dames on stage together was an opportunity not to be missed! However, it was a shame they were cast together in such a self-indulgent piece of writing. Even Maggie Smith's comic timing and Judi Dench's mastery of understatement couldn't save a production that leaves the audience wondering, "Erm, what was all of that about?"
Melinda Beatty, UK

I can't believe some of the negative reviews I'm reading here! I saw the play last night. It was SUPERB. The two Dames were enthralling, and the intimacy of the play was hypnotic. Not a single person remained in their seats at the end. A deserved standing ovation - an evening I won't forget for a long time.
Rex Orr, Brighton, UK.

I can now die happy - I've witnessed a heretofore unbelievable event: Dames Dench and Smith on one stage at one time, unfettered by other actors. I flew to London (happily escaping the sniper in DC) with four friends just to see this spectacular event. In the third row at the end of previews, we all of us knew how important this play and the actors' presentation of it would be in theatre history. I am very thankful and overjoyed to have been a witness to it. I hope we won't have to wait another 40 years. The treasures of the National Gallery and the British Museum pale in comparison to these two magnificent stars!
Carla Burzyk, USA

Apart from seeing the "Dames" I'm really not sure I would go and see the play again. It had its moments and Maggie Smith seemed to have the better role with the best comedy lines. But it was rather long and drawn out so much so the gentleman next to had to be woken up by his partner during the second act.
Karen, London

I am proud to have witnessed a piece of history. Britain's two greatest actresses ruling the stage and keeping the audience captivated by their impeccable timing and their ability to make the script of David Hare's play rise from words on a page into a living drama. I certainly will be pleased to tell my grandchildren one day how at the age of sixteen I saw Dames Maggie and Judi in The Breath of Life AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT!!
Andrea Pass, Solihull, England

The formula seemed perfect with a witty and emotional script and great actresses but I too left largely unmoved. I felt the script let the actresses down by not challenging them enough (Dench's Filumena made her Breath of Life performance look like a warm lettuce) and by not cohesing the comedy and tragedy enough to make scenes realistic or reasonable. The incredible thing to see was the dynamic between Smith and Dench - like a well oiled machine. They surpassed the script and yet more melodramatic older female parts, which should be left for the likes of Joan Collins.
Carl McConnell, UK

An avid Judi Dench fan, I was lucky enough to get tickets for the first night, and can safely say i was not dissapointed! Although the play was not perhaps not what the critics may have expected, the two dames certainly didn't do it any harm! Maggie Smith's performance almost over shadowed that of Judi Dench, perhaps the only actress to deserve such acclaim! This play, and these actresses made a play that I cartainly won't forget in a hurry!
Fiona, UK

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