The Public presents the Abbey Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre's subversively funny and savage new play about one man trying to make sense of a radically changed world. Starring Oscar nominee Stephen Rea. More…
Eric Miller is a Belfast Unionist. He is exclusively and non-negotiably British. But nowadays he is worried he might be Irish. When Eric sees a likeness between his new-born granddaughter and the Irish republican leader, Gerry Adams, his sanity starts to unravel. Determined to defend his family and his heritage, Eric’s lifetime of ingrained prejudice and unsettled identity push him to the edge.
See it if you're interested in psychotic prejudice, played 1st for laughs, then bloody horror. Emotional whiplash. Absurdism uneasily mixed w realism.
Don't see it if you dislike ruthless violence, especially after humor. Therapy sessions seemed pointless, given the crimes. Strong acting; flawed script.
See it if you don't mind disturbing violence. that part is harsh but interesting.
Don't see it if you don't care about Irish political name dropping for 30 min with no effect on the rest of the play. All other characters are props.
Also This was very uneven. There is 60 min play in there with a 30 min diat... Read more Read less
See it if You like intense or disturbing shows. The first and last thirds of the play were good.
Don't see it if The drawn out 30min scene in the middle discusses Ireland politics, it's very boring, screeches the play to halt & it doesn't fully recover.
See it if You want to see a dark...a very dark statement on what happens when we remain silent and do not call out hate for what it is when it occurs.
Don't see it if You can’t handle a violent stark look at the ugliest of truths about our society right now!
See it if to witness Rea's dynamic, committed tour-de-force in a subversive play that attempts to explain the origins of hate & how it begets violence
Don't see it if you aren't prepared for some ugly, grim, violent scenes; you expect more than a shallow morality play; you don't have the patience of Job.
Also I struggled with this play, and I can actually understand the inclinat... Read more Read less
See it if uses absurdism & wickedly dark humor 2 illustrate issues of identity & extremism; brilliant volcanic/humorous performance by Stephen Rea
Don't see it if some will be perplexed by violence or find it gratuitous or won't like absurdist approach where unsure what's real/what's not
Also This play appears to be a riff on Jonathan Swift's satirical "A Modest... Read more Read less
See it if You love dark, Irish dramas or would love to see a brilliant turn by Stephen Rea.
Don't see it if You dislike plays by authors like Martin McDonagh, or hate intensely violent plays.
See it if Tour de force performance by Rhea about a story of bigotry and insanity - a dangerous combination.
Don't see it if The violence at the end of the play, which is visual, is extreme and beyond comprehension. I looked away but you know what is going on.
Also Knowledge of the history of Northern Ireland would be helpful.
See it if Want to see a dark and violent play with a lead actor that will blow you away
Don't see it if You don’t understand things about Ireland. I still loved this play even though I Don’t understand the history between n. Ireland and Ireland
Also I break this play down into three parts. The first 35 minutes was real... Read more Read less
See it if Plays in historical context interest you. You are fine with very minimal set. You can handle some gory violence in a heavy drama.
Don't see it if Off the wall characters and situations don’t disturb you so much that you can’t enjoy a play for what it is.
See it if You are ready for a really dark play about an mentally ill man who is torn between the past and the present. Stephen Rea is masterful!
Don't see it if You expect a light-hearted Irish comedy or Going My Way. You dislike dark satire.
Also The entire cast is brilliant! You should know something about Sinn Féi... Read more Read less
See it if You like good theatre from London.
Don't see it if You want a traditional easy to take drama.
See it if You like amazing theater that you might not necessarily "enjoy." This is a hard edged play with a good bit of comedy. But VERY intense
Don't see it if You can't deal with extreme violence and a sort of dream like quality to the production. You don't understand accents. Blood gets to you.
See it if you want to take advantage of the rare opportunity to see Stephen Rea on a New York stage even in a play that turns shockingly violent.
Don't see it if you don't like black humor and are repelled by violence.
Also This left me emotionally drained and then just angry. It's a close cal... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see incredible acting in a story about prejudice, mental illness and denial.Stephen Rea is brilliant.Unsettling script.Profound
Don't see it if you want something light or are squeamish.Acting is superb.Writing is excellent.This one makes you think about anger and politics. Relevant.
See it if you like bold and intense plays that push the envelope. The acting is fantastic keeps you gripped even when you want to look away.
Don't see it if you don’t like terrible plays regardless of how well-written or acted it is. It is not easy to watch and listen to racist and hateful speech
See it if A terrific performance by Stephen Rea. You might enjoy it if you are well-versed in the Northern Ireland conflict.
Don't see it if Violent. Pointless. Its “humor” did not travel well.
See it if You want to see a fully committed actor,who you maybe wished had committed to something else. Some brilliant verbiage; sum less than parts.
Don't see it if you are not interested in 100 minutes of swearing and ridicule ending in violence.You know where its going 15 minutes in.
Also Really dont know what to say about this. It is dark. Subversive. Alway... Read more Read less
See it if you love great acting, Stephen Rea is Over The Top, hard biting story of prejudice, psychosis and paranoia
Don't see it if NOT for the squeamish, the play shocks you in ways that are appalling
See it if you want an excellent portrayal of and the justification for the prejudices of entitled white men - and the resulting dire consequences
Don't see it if you object to over the top behavior and believe that prejudice and hate can be justified.
See it if It requires some fortitude to travel the emotional road of this examination of the human need to feel secure but this important look at...
Don't see it if what divides us is smart & provocative. Heavy material deftly presented, humorous moments in a dark story.
See it if you're interested by an exploration of the lengths to which someone will go to protect their identity and beliefs.
Don't see it if you have the tendency to be repulsed by lifelike acts of violence. Some moments were difficult to watch.
See it if you don’t mind brutal, bizarre, and bigoted behaviors; can forgive some lack of real closure; want to think deeply; like short dramas.
Don't see it if you’re uninterested in the English/Irish debate; will find blood, violence, brutality, misogyny, and racism disgusting; need uplifting work.
Also Working the central stage like a predator that may strike at slight pr... Read more Read less
See it if Great acting by Rea and cast. Extremely dark and violent story of a psychotic man who commits the unthinkable. Dark humor...oh my!
Don't see it if If you prefer light dramas or musicals.
See it if You love black comedy, and aren't easily offended. David Rea is great. - the whole cast is strong.
Don't see it if play about a man who has a serious mental health issue and is ultimately unredeemable bothers you. Too dark and not funny enough for me.
Also As a rule, I like a black comedy. I love the Martin McDonagh's work, b... Read more Read less