Mixed reviews for Hall's nude debut

Three's company: Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall and Josh Cohen

Model Jerry Hall has received lukewarm reviews for her debut as Mrs Robinson in London stage show The Graduate.

Hall, 44, took over the role from Hollywood actress Kathleen Turner, who caused a sensation by appearing nude in the role of the middle-aged seductress.

But most reviewers were sceptical about her acting abilities - even if they were in awe of her brief nude scene.

Her dramatic pauses sagged horribly and her range of emotions would not have discredited a retiring clam

Quentin Letts, Daily Mail

The Daily Mail's Quentin Letts said her acting was, at times, "as wooden as a toothpick".

"The Texan acccent wobbled like a learner cyclist, her dramatic pauses sagged horribly and her range of emotions would not have discredited a retiring clam," he commented.

But despite saying all he saw of the nude scene was "two fried eggs in the gloaming", he added that she looked "pretty damned amazing".

The Mirror's Jessica Callan said Hall lacked "spark or passion" with co-star Josh Cohen, while the Daily Express's David Smith said "some might have found her performance a case of more style than substance".

But he added she looked "at ease" during the play.

Hall received a better reception from her former partner, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who was in the audience.

He was impressed by the production and particularly by Hall. He said afterwards: "She was good, eh?"

Jagger, 57, was accompanied by one of Hall's closest friends Tharita de Serra - a friend from her early modelling days - who flew into Britain for the occasion.

Cohen and Hall lacked "spark or passion", according to the Mirror

In preparation for the role, Hall has been on a tough regime of yoga and exercise and has been perfecting her stage craft with a voice coach.

She has also cut much of the once waist-length hair for which she had become known.

Her last stage appearance, in Bus Stop, also drew mixed reviews, and her predecessor, Turner, has reserved judgment on Hall's suitability for the role.

One theatre-goer smuggled a camera into the auditorium to catch a glimpse of the naked star, despite a ban on photographic equipment and bag searches.

The cameraman took a shot of Hall as she opened her towel 15 minutes into the show to reveal she was wearing nothing underneath.

Staff at the theatre pounced and demanded he hand over the film - although shots of her do appear in The Sun, which describes her "raunchy" stage antics.

The paper's Dominic Mohan added: "From my vantage point in row A, seat 20 in the dress circle, it could have been Jerry Springer."