A Brief History of Women

See it if you want to see a not-so-brief history of a man (& his relationships w/women), sharply written & superbly acted in a new Ayckbourn dramedy.

Don't see it if you expect the biting satire, acerbic wit & absurdist twists of Ayckbourn's best-known works. [This is AA at his more sedate & conventional]

See it if you're a fan of Ayckbourn, enjoy plots that occur over 50+ years, like comedies with a serious heart, enjoy tales set in rural England

Don't see it if you don't like plays set over multiple years or touching comedies that aren't hilarious, actors in multiple roles is confusing,

See it if you enjoy Alan Ayckbourn's work. Although this is not one of his top-tier plays, it still provides a funny and moving evening of theatre.

Don't see it if you do not like British plays that poke fun at the British class system. Also, if you have a hard time with British accents.

See it if you enjoy seeing the work of an amazingly prolific British playwright superbly performed by versatile actors

Don't see it if you don't like comedies of manners.

See it if Aykbourn plot and British humor tells the story of a man’s relationships with women at four different ages.

Don't see it if You are expecting a play that focuses on women. You don’t care for British humor.

See it if you like bright, funny, inventive theatre.Set alone is worth the price of admission.Acting is top rate.Ayckbourn's writing never disappoints

Don't see it if you want something serious or pithy.This is lighthearted fun, cleverly staged.Title is a bit misleading.It's more the history of a manor!

See it if you enjoy a playwright that breaks down the fourth wall consistently in his work. Ayckbourn knows no bounds

Don't see it if not his best work, a bit confusing but in the end satisfying

See it if a funny British play that is sometimes touching; takes place over 60 years in the same manor house whose function changes over those years

Don't see it if you don't like actors playing a variety of different roles no matter how wonderful they are in them; expect more of the focus to be on women

Also The main character is a man who appears in all for acts at the ages of 17, 37, 57, & 77. He is the only one who appears in all 4 acts. The story is about how he is influenced by the women in his life. Women's issues are brought up (but it really isn't a history of women, even a brief one) & they are very moving.
The set is amazing for a small theater. Not only are small modifications made in each act to reflect the change in the manor's use, but they manage to portray 3 rooms in the manor.... Read more Read less

See it if like most of us, you love British everything, Alan Ayckbourn, solid dialogue, charming plots that resolve well, great acting and good set.

Don't see it if You're weary from too much Downton Abbey or simply don't enjoy the kind of theatre only the Brits give us.

See it if You enjoy British humor. Enjoy British dialects, this show is a wonderful buffet of English accents.

Don't see it if Looking for a slap-stick. Just because it's British, don't mean it's Noises Off. Looking for something that's completely "family-friendly."

Also This is the second show I have seen as part of 59E59's Brits Off-Broadway series, the first being Tremor. I for one love the fact that the theater has shows that have a common theme in the season.

The charm of this show is that it perfectly balances drama with levity. It goes to some pretty dark places. Physical and verbal abuse, mental illness, death. But never loses its ability to make you smile.

The actors are universally wonderful. One of the joys of this show is the myriad of characters throughout, all performed by 6 actors more than up to the task.

I would be remiss if I did not mention both the set designers and, perhaps most importantly, the crew. Yes. The crew. The crew actually received applause during one of the set changes. And you'll just have to see the show if you want to know why. But let's just say they're certainly earning their keep during this show!

Deft direction, great performances, and many other things make this show worth a visit!... Read more Read less

See it if You love British casts doing ensemble work; you enjoy Ayckbourn's humor; you love to see things come together unpredictably

Don't see it if you find actors playing different roles in different parts of the same play confusing; you don't appreciate British humor

See it if You like your plots character-driven. 3 1/2 one-act plays the common thread being a mansion over a period of 40 years.Fun.

Don't see it if You want something edgy and visceral. This is ironic and cerebral..

Also The playwright Alan Ayckbourn has written 82 plays. Some of them are superb and even middling ones are worth seeing.
His works are comedic with a bite, often with a theatrical conceit that serves a purpose revealing different perspectives on the same event. You really can't go wrong with Ayckbourn.... Read more Read less

See it if you love British comedy and British actors in general, and Ayckbourn in particular - especially his gift for playing games with spaces.

Don't see it if you don't like British humor and you're allergic to over the top caricature, even when skillfully done.

See it if You're a die hard Alan Ayckbourn fan and want to see some anecdotes with the occasional good plot idea.

Don't see it if You're not a fan of the type of dry, dull humor and dialogue that would have already felt dated 50 years ago.

See it if you like Alan Ayckbourn's plays, the Brits Off Broadway series, a play that requires your patience to come together.

Don't see it if you're not willing to indulge the playwright, you expect the title to be relevant to the play itself.

See it if You enjoy mildly amusing English plays told vignette style.

Don't see it if You need your comedies to be hilarious start to finish.

See it if You are a fan of British comedy especially ones written by Alan Ayckbourn. You love actors so good they convince you they are every one of

Don't see it if You have no patience with shows that are dated, creaky and long. Silliiness annoys you. British accents grate on your ears.

Also the mutiple roles they play. The theatre is small but with good sight-lines. The set cleverly changes four times and there is a charming sound effect that accompanies the opening and closing of doors. There are no doors. But the knocking on them resonates.... Read more Read less

See it if You like over-long Downton Abbey genre material with stereotypical British class characters in formulaic situations

Don't see it if You are not a fan of dated British soap opera-type productions which take 2 1/2 hours to come to a point.

Also This is definitely NOT vintage Alan Ayckbourn material and although the cast struggles with it it just does not really resonate either in humor or in a ''message'. The show is neither brief nor principally about women.... Read more Read less

See it if a talented cast with an incredible set and excellent playwright

Don't see it if following one man's romantic adventures over many years does not appeal to you. or if you dislike british accents.

See it if You will go to anything by Ayckbourn.

Don't see it if You dislike slow plays or dated British farce. You have no patience with hammy acting.

See it if Like British plays and humor and acting

Don't see it if Fan of the playwright but this was disappointing

See it if You like Alan Ayckbourn’s plays, British theater, the genre of tragicomedy, enjoy close up masterful performances.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy long plays, are looking for a broadway style or a fast paced show

See it if Amusing play set as four generations of a English country house. Ayckbourn insight, wit and compassion. Enjoyable.

Don't see it if Somewhat long, drawing-room style drama.

See it if you are in need of a nap.

Don't see it if you like theatre that is cutting edge.

Also Alan Ayckbourne is a grat comic writer but you would never know it from this play.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy broad funny strokes by very talented actors and enjoy clever set changes and period costumes.

Don't see it if You do not appreciate fast moving farce.