The Children

See it if Moves very slow, but raises some thoughtful questions in an interesting way about our roles and purpose in life.

Don't see it if You don’t like serious dramas or prefer fast moving stories.

See it if Death beckons for nuclear disaster survivors. As the bell tolls, old friends explore the limits of how well they can understand each other.

Don't see it if You don’t like meticulously develeoped characters and a slow moving plot. You don’t want to think about how death affects the living.

Also Superb acting. Grave surprises. Wonderfully spooky.

See it if you want to see a finely acted, prototypical British drama about a plausible eco-unfriendly dystopian society & generational responsibility.

Don't see it if a slow-burn, character-driven storyline & dark themes will turn you off from some very smart, if wearisome at times, playwriting.

Also Directed differently, this could have been a taut, chilling thriller instead of a post-apocalyptic drawing room drama, albeit a decent one.... Read more Read less

See it if Mixing the personal & the topical Kirkwood's climate change drama is both captivating & dull Complex performances help alleviate talkiness

Don't see it if Often progresses at a glacial pace w/echoes of Churchill straining to be heard but eventually hits the mark MacDonald's direction top notch

See it if you're a fan of the British well-made play, especially if you're of retirement age or interested in the challenges facing that generation.

Don't see it if you get bored with a lot of talk, even smart talk, or squirm when a show slows down so much you can hear the gears whirring away.

Also I'm glad I saw The Children. The play takes on as its subject "aging for the boomer generation," my generation, but the distance I had on these particular boomers -- Brits not Yanks -- put me in an analytic frame of mind as I sat in the audience. But the play was most exciting the few times something so outrageous happened onstage -- a bloody nose, a dance routine with taped music, an overflowing toilet, a displaced wig, a bloody mouth -- that there was no longer any distance between me & what was happening onstage: we were all in this bloody human mess together. At other times the talk grew a little wearying, or some of it (about a big-breasted milkmaid, for example) just generated the question: why bother? Luckily the exciting bits, in the service of asking some big questions about aging in general & the aging of the boomer generation in particular, made the play worth seeing. And what a treat to watch older performers in such meaty roles, exercising all their performing muscles!... Read more Read less

See it if you are happy with some great acting re: a 21st Century problem and the value of life. It makes one wonder re: the value of life and Why?

Don't see it if only one (clever) scene.. sound system needs work. not a happy play.

See it if you like dystopian stories set in the near future after a nuclear accident, characters whose relationship is slowly revealed,

Don't see it if you don't like discussions of death, dysfunctional families, talk of nuclear incidents, very slow revelation of plot and absurd digressions

See it if you enjoy British ensemble comfortable onstage and with each other.

Don't see it if you like your resolutions tied up with a bow and handed to you.

See it if addresses the ? in fascinating & ultimately moving post-apocalyptic drama, sparks fly among triangle of gifted actors a la "Virginia Wolf"

Don't see it if play takes too long to introduce the "reveal" that answers the ? and animates the plot; but hang in there, it's worth the wait!

See it if You enjoy natural plays about the dailiness of life. You like dystopian dramas. You want excellent acting by a talented cast.

Don't see it if You want more action in a dystopian drama. You want to care about the characters onstage. You want a fast-paced drama.

See it if the idea of life after a nuclear meltdown intrigues you. The characters are complex and the staging enhances the foreboding tone.

Don't see it if you prefer an uplifting show with a happy ending.

See it if you like intelligent plays and excellent acting; you are interested in man's technological advances and their potential destructive outcomes

Don't see it if The main topic is interesting and poignant but gets bogged down with past indiscretions. The theme is important and thought provoking.

See it if you enjoy overlong, talky British dramas. This play could make its point if 30-40 minutes were cut. The three actors shine!

Don't see it if you do not enjoy overlong, talky British dramas.

See it if If you want to see a show about a nuclear meltdown happening

Don't see it if You are expecting to feel any emotion in anyway

Also There was nothing good about this play. I’m trying to understand why people gave this a good review? I just don’t understand how anyone could like any aspect of the show. When I read what it was about I was very excited to see it but everything was a complete let down. I challenge anyone to say they liked the first 20 minutes of this play it was completely boring and did nothing to move the story along.... Read more Read less

See it if You like edgy dramas that keep you involved in uncovering the plot, as the actors introduce bits and pieces of their lives.

Don't see it if You cannot sit for 1 hour and 50 minutes. Do not like conversational dramas. Expect action-packed scenes. Fear impending disasters.

Also The English three person cast is impeccable. The topic of nuclear disaster may leave you chilled and disturbed.
A spellbinding play!... Read more Read less

See it if You like a good English drama with humor, irony and good cast

Don't see it if You want something upbeat.

See it if you like all things British.This play has a great premise, is timely, great set.Script is overwritten & dull.It drags.At 1:45 is too long

Don't see it if you want riveting drama with subtle performances.Overacting by both women is annoying.Nothing subtle. Very heavy handed. WAY too long.

See it if you’ll see a quietly atypical piece on an under-portrayed subject handled with that immaculate English restraint. Must be a good listener.

Don't see it if you’re content to believe altruism’s a sham; need gut punches to feel stimulated & blatant displays of emotion to track character progress.

Also I didn’t find this show slow—the opening small talk is immediately revealing—but it does require sustained attention. Kirkwood’s presentation of modern life as a zero-sum game at first seems too extreme to be true; but as the characters enact our attitudes toward resources & labor, it’s increasingly clear how resource-draining lifestyles for some will necessitate a diminished lifestyle for others. Other plays (like Love, Love, Love) approach inter-generational duty through the metaphor of nuclear family. By focusing on 3 same-aged adults, TC lights on the flaw in overusing that trope (it undermines the fortitude required to make personal sacrifices for anyone who isn't family).

TC doesn’t have much of “heat,” i.e., no nervous breakdowns, torrid seductions, rousing political speeches/rants. Some may be unimpressed by a lack of effusiveness. But it’s incredibly well suited to the play’s rationale of subordinating self-interest/self-indulgence. Admirable story and fantastic cast.... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays which illustrate social issues such as generational responsibility. Acting is great & the play takes some surprising turns.

Don't see it if Despite its merits, this was a bore. Very slow start and staging is so static and uninteresting that you may struggle to stay awake.

Also The staging is actually on an angle which I suppose was aimed to create some tension, yet it does not. I am inclined to think that the play itself is good, but this production leaves much to be desired.... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays about family and self-sacrifice, are anti nuclear-energy or enjoy interesting and different themes and characters.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with self-sacrifice or are bothered by talk of death and destruction.

See it if slow-moving domestic drama set in a British cottage after a nuclear power plant disaster in the area; larger thought-provoking theme

Don't see it if because characters & story develop slowly an uninterrupted 1 hour & 50 min. could seem like an eternity unless engrossed by the story

Also excellent acting especially by Ms. Annis as a subtly creepy Rose

See it if you like talky British stuff with talented British actors.

Don't see it if you haven’t had a nap beforehand. You may find yourself starting to take one here.

See it if you want drama dealing with a very disturbing problem with man's errors in dealing with nature. Very well acted but long winded.

Don't see it if you are looking for a fast moving play. This is slow and without an intermission, though one would ruin the mood and story line.

See it if you're intrigued by all the favorable reviews from critics.

Don't see it if you're expecting drama and suspense right away. The action takes some time to get going.

See it if you want to think. Based on Japanese nuclear power plant and the Tsunami. This play is in England and the future. Actors are wonderful.

Don't see it if you want a fun, exhilarating play. This is not uplifting. Serious stuff.