Fossils NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Bucket Club presents the story of a scientist who confronts the mythical and the monstrous to come to terms with the disappearance of her father. Part of 59E59's annual Brits Off Broadway festival.
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See it if imaginative theatrical production amuses you. This piece uses a delightfully creative approach to story telling. And the music is marvelous
Don't see it if you have a narrow world view which does not accept the compression of time and experice necessary for theatrical performance.
See it if you like scrappy, inventive productions of intimate plays that make stage magic out of a handful of props and cool onstage music-making.
Don't see it if you only care for the spectacle of super high production value. This is refreshingly theatrical and creative and affecting.
See it if you enjoy unique shows which utilize unusual audio and visual techniques, interesting story, quirky characters; a charming production.
Don't see it if you only like "normal" plays, dislike anything unusual and unique on the stage; prefer musicals and big production shows. This isn't that. Read more
See it if you like a quick story that grows - and you find dry British Humor funny. and there is weird music, which I loved.
Don't see it if you're looking for a normal play. This is a quick and odd 65 minute, almost experimental piece.
See it if You enjoy very creative unusual shows with tech aspects being a significant part of the story. You enjoy scientific themes and imagery.
Don't see it if You are looking for an evening of theatre which allows you to sit back and just watch. This requires that you pay close attention throughout
See it if a unique, touching story with some fun interspersed
Don't see it if only an hour long; not your usual linear play.
See it if You don't mind a little bit of a bland story line but want to see some great staging/sound work. If love dinosaurs or lived across the pond
Don't see it if You want a full on musical or quirky shows aren't your thing.
See it if You like looping sound effects behind a story of a daughter searching for a father caught up in cryptozoology.
Don't see it if You'd rather have a traditional story that lasts more than 65 minutes.
Critic Reviews (16)
“Narratively slight and at least a little nutty, this piece is deft in form and nifty in presentation…The production tantalizes with, rather than delivers on, its theme…It ends at least a scene too soon…Under Nel Crouch’s direction, these three performers act, score and narrate with scientific precision and obvious warmth. It’s very likely that you don’t believe in the Loch Ness monster and you may not believe in ‘Fossils.’ But you should have faith in these actors.”
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"This is a show like no other. It has an intriguing plot that is conveyed with clever staging and ingenious storytelling devices. Performed in an intimate theatre space, it mesmerizes the audience from the first minute to the last...The cast is ideal in their roles...Special touches make this show pop...The musical effects with live electronic sound help to bring the mood of the show to life...A truly fascinating show. You will be thinking about it long after the curtain call."
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“A tight, cohesive ensemble…It's all very clever, but, as ‘Fossils’ goes on, it's hard to escape the feeling that the members of the company are more interested in their storytelling method than in the story they have to tell. This seems especially so in the last fifteen minutes or so, which, frankly, are hard to follow...Thus, a piece that begins on an engaging note gradually loses interest…The work of some very talented young people who need to hone their narrative skills.”
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“Though the printed script, such as it is, is credited to Nel Crouch, she is listed in the program as only the director, and ‘Fossils’ is rather ‘by’ Bucket Club, described as an ‘associate company.’ Such confusion is perpetrated throughout the production: it's hard to say if, in the end of this extremely low-tech presentation, Vanessa has actually encountered the Monster—and/or her father—or not. ‘Fossils’ is apparently more about what doesn't happen than what does.”
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"An enthralling, one-of-a-kind production...The performers all have terrific chemistry, playing off one another with ease, and imbuing humor into each line and gesture...There are loads of clever storytelling devices and jokes that build upon the show's themes, making this the sort of the show you would probably have to see twice in order to catch everything...All of this makes 'Fossils' the sort of innovative, knock-you-off-your-seat show you hope to chance upon."
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“Although 'Fossils' doesn't seem to have been created as devised theatre, it uses similar directorial touches whereby minimalist techniques using found objects help create a large world on a small budget…There's nothing especially new in this kind of staging but it has a certain charm…Vinten, Farrell, and Ridley succeed in keeping us involved in Crouch's slight, quirky piece, their occasional infusions of dry humor and music leavening the atmosphere.”
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"A compelling hour of theatrical storytelling that is as fully dramatic, mysterious, and tender as you could ever hope to see...Ingeniously directed by Nel Crouch...The lovingly told story is a beautiful blend of brains and heart. Without much more than some simple plastic toy dinosaurs, the three very talented cast members bring everything to commanding life for a marvelous hour of theater."
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“One of the great virtues of devised work is company chemistry, and Vinten, Farrell, and Murphy have it in spades...They clearly relish the work and take pleasure in one another’s presence…The music is just about perfect…If only there were a more interesting story to hang it all on. Crouch keeps things moving at a nice clip, and the play demonstrates a thorough understanding of academic life (despite its hackneyed character types), but the play putters to an unsatisfying non-ending.”
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