The Ferryman (NYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (1,080)
See it if omg this amazing story takes off from curtain up. Don't let the running time put you off. The minutes fly by. Great dialogue and acting
Don't see it if Very political. Some Brits might feel uncomfortable but this one didn't.
See it if you're able to watch for 3 hours, you enjoy plot twists, and love intense dialogue that shows family, politics, and how the two collide.
Don't see it if you expect very optimistic endings, have difficulty understanding accents, and have trouble paying attention to every word.
See it if Just see it! This play grabs you by the throat and won’t let go for over 3 hours when it slams you against a wall. This play is epic.
Don't see it if You dislike beautiful but intense plays.
See it if you want a beautifully written/acted piece of theatre. You will be on the edge of your seat throughout. The story is compelling-See it!
Don't see it if you have difficulty with Irish accents. Or, you can't sit for 3 hours-15 minutes. Read more
See it if Mesmerizing Drama / Great Acting. Deeply moving story of a family involved w/ IRA politics. Superb Writing, Directing & Stage Set.
Don't see it if You do not like political / historic dramas or long plays lasting 3 hours. You are unable to follow Irish accents.
See it if Excellent acting. Long play but didn’t feel it. Fabulous acting. Poignant. Strong message. Very very entertaining for lovers of theatre.
Don't see it if Long play. 1 intermission and one break. But worth it.
See it if You enjoy totally immersive drama with a story that enfolds in an entertaining and absorbing way. The time flies!
Don't see it if You cannot sit for 3 plus hours. You want an upbeat performance of easy entertainment. Read more
See it if You love pure theater, a well-told story, exquisite dialogue, absorbing drama, a deep dive into difficult questions
Don't see it if You don't like straight drama, you need the plot to unfold very quickly, you need a happy ending to the story Read more
Critic Reviews (78)
"I wasn’t bored. Sam Mendes’ firm, generous direction and a spirited cast keep each scene crackling with physical business and roiling humor...So what’s the problem?...First is that despite the ensemble’s fine work, one can’t shake the feeling that this is an elaborate pile of Stage Irish clichés...The second issue is one of inertia...All plays are contrived, but the good ones disguise their contrivances, not revealing seams and joints every five minutes."
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"'The Ferryman' is a searing social document...A riveting work of art...Butterworth weaves an enthralling tapestry of melodrama, wryness, and suspense...Butterworth and Mendes have masterminded 'The Ferryman' for maximum wallop, and the actors, to a person, are brilliant executors...One of the most ferociously rewarding climaxes of my playgoing experience. That sensation, of a tension released by consummate storytelling, is what a theater lover lives for."
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"Packs more juicy and prophetic Anglo-Irish storytelling into a fantastic single night than any cable drama upon which you might ever hope to binge...An epic, three-act, three hour-and-15 minute journey, a voyage that is multitudinous enough that you feel like you’ve watched human destiny play out before your eyes, but credible and even, at times, sufficiently joyous, to make you believe that we can still find moments of happiness despite our destiny of strife."
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"'The Ferryman' grips you, that much is true...You find yourself quickly swept up in the action of a clan of endlessly busy farmers and daughters, of characters drawn remarkably quickly and confidently...It’s a play of physical and emotional tension, a testament to Mendes’ ability to unearth the anxiety in a dance party and Butterworth’s talent for history...This is a kitchen drama that only double-faces into a thriller, and it’s a thumping good one — a well-built, well-executed."
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"When it comes to theatrical flair, Jez Butterworth’s explosive 'The Ferryman' has pretty much got it all...Themes of family tension, sexual heat, divisive politics and betrayal come to climax in an unsparing finale...Masterfully directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes...In lesser hands, 'The Ferryman' may have come off as pure hokum, but Mendes makes it absolutely entrancing, bringing out many intense, full-bodied performances."
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“Butterworth's richly stocked play is a gorgeous sprawling yarn that encompasses the entire spectrum of human existence...May seem long, but...the story is so engrossing, the characters so engaging, and the suspense so foreboding, you'll be left wanting more...Each member of this splendid ensemble delivers finely crafted performances...'The Ferryman' stands out as a classic all on its own!”
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"Butterworth's play is certainly epic and obviously sprawling, hypnotizing us over the course of three acts. But those words really only skim the surface of this undeniably thrilling theatrical experience, so here are some better ones: 'compelling,' 'heartbreaking,' and just 'bloody good'...Cunningly directed by Sam Mendes as a thriller disguised as a melodrama, 'The Ferryman' creates an uncommonly specific world in staggering detail...The best play running on Broadway."
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“Butterworth takes his time unfolding details of his plot, focusing more on how a continuing political issue affects family dynamics spanning three generations, leading up to a tense and violent conclusion...Under Sam Mendes' empathetic direction, the wonderful ensemble company provides deeply-textured and entertaining performances. Despite the...length the play flies by...Its combination of warmth, romance, humor and intrigue is totally engaging."
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