Irish Rep presents this new solo piece that tells the story of a man celebrating and remembering a great love affair. An elegy to life, love, and loss. More…
From the show:
Incantata is written by one of Ireland’s most revered writers, the New York based, Pulitzer Prize-winning Paul Muldoon and interpreted for the stage by Stanley Townsend and Sam Yates.
Fresh from a fall 2019 run at Dublin’s famed Gate Theatre, Incantata premiered to wide acclaim at the 2018 Galway International Arts Festival.
See it if you like edgy, messy, daring, loud, esoteric experimental theater. Some people laughed often; some wept at end. Read poem before. Heavy!
Don't see it if you can't connect w poetry (sophisticated/pretentious?) Verses repeated. Slow, dull parts. Strg acting. Thought-provoking. Wasn't for me.
See it if If you like and understand the poem. If you like poetry and a comfortable theater.
Don't see it if If you dont like dark plays, yelling ...paint at walls. Can be slow at times.
See it if It's Townsend's majestically lyrical performance that keeps one's attention during this tone poem dealing with a tragic, inconsolable loss
Don't see it if Muldoon's dense, structurally complex poetic drama keeps shifting tone & form leaving one off-center Has a brooding elegiac Irish melancholy
See it if you know (have translated words and understand references) this poem and would enjoy an energetic performance, with good video and sound.
Don't see it if you cannot appreciate the laughter and pain of grief expressed in word and action. Blinding light, dark moments, hearing difficulties.
See it if you love Ireland, Irish poets or great passions. A highly dramatic performance of detailed love poems done in boxy set with lots of potatoes
Don't see it if moment to moment clarity is important to you. There are Irish phrases & places that are unlikely to be familiar to American audiences.
See it if Irish spud-splitting art stencilist videos the spirit of his lost love in elegy:"I saw you again tonight/A monument to the human heart"
Don't see it if Given the static nature of most monologues, this actor employs full use of the mainstage with live videotaping and handling inky properties.
Also Mrs. Vanderbilt/I'm gonna gitcha ,gitcha ,gitcha/It might be 8 or 12 d... Read more Read less
See it if A truly committed actor. A poem repeated and repeated. Interesting rewind/reminder to help pull it together.
Don't see it if you find it unnerving to watch the actor create a costar with a chair, wrap, camera and hat. Chaotic, loud, flashing lights.
See it if you want to see a mournful poem come to life. I had read the poem several times before the play which made his enactment more meaningful.
Don't see it if you're not a poetry fan and prefer more subdued (this performance isn't understated) theatrics.
See it if You want to see a masterful performance of a poem you probably won't understand fully, particularly if you haven't read it in advance
Don't see it if You like your theater in a more traditional mode
See it if Love poety, art or amazing solo acting. Appreciate investigations of and ruminations on love and loss.
Don't see it if Need a linear story line. Dislike one person shows. Reject contemplation of mourning and loss.
See it if you enjoy poetry; staged readings, solo performances & all things Irish; are familiar with Paul Muldoon's writing.
Don't see it if you dislike poetry, solo performances, eulogies; are unfamiliar w/ & uninterested in Dublin, Irish myths, literature, history .
Also The staging was highly inventive & really good, I concur with the advi... Read more Read less
See it if Brilliant performance of Paul Muldoon's elegiac poem about love lost by Stanley Townsend. Fascinating set with video. Time expands/contracts
Don't see it if Intense and confusing, I wish I read the poem before I saw the show. But moving and powerful whether you are following or totally lost.
See it if You’re up for a tour de force performance best seen after reading the poem or knowing Irish references; otherwise like a foreign film.
Don't see it if You're not up for careful active listening; this is not a passive experience, unusual attention must be paid, but the rewards are great.
Also Anger, frustration, regret, longing, let alone denial, depression and ... Read more Read less
See it if you'd be interested in an original, bravado performance that is an enacted poem, not a play- cryptic, fascinating & strange
Don't see it if you dislike enigmatic, absurdist theater (i.e. Beckett, Pirandello); are looking for simple entertainment ( this one requires a lot of work)
Also Definitely not for everyone, definitely not a crowd-pleaser. Only one ... Read more Read less
See it if If a modern take of a poem appeals to you. The performer is very passionate. Staging is very colorful with modern music interwoven.
Don't see it if You do not like poetry or media pieces
See it if you are up to the challenge of dense, often obscure poetry balanced by an amazing performance and inventive staging. Read it before you go!
Don't see it if you don't like to have to work at enjoying a theatrical performance or if it distresses you to not understand what is being said.
See it if a very moving elegy for a partner, an eloquent hymn to her & their relationship. Staging is surprising & effective, the acting amazing.
Don't see it if this is a dirge, a dramatization of a poem, not a play. There's a touch of humor, but not much. It's intellectually taxing.
See it if Irish poetry as dramatic text intrigues plus a rare op to see wonderful actor Stanley Townsend, working with a talented director & designers
Don't see it if you want something longer than an hour, with a plot you can follow.
See it if You like Paul Muldoon's poetry, are interested in a provocative and unusual visual, highly theatrical take on an epic poem.
Don't see it if You are seeking out a plot-driven, easy to follow, traditional evening at the theater.
Also Stanley Townsend gave a towering performance. I loved the repeated rec... Read more Read less
See it if you're deeply into Paul Muldoon's poetry. Otherwise, you're going to miss a lot in this multimedia oratory which favors bombast over beauty.
Don't see it if your local library carries a copy. You'd be better served reading Muldoon's posthumous love letter to printmaker Mary Farl Powers at home.
Also Memorable Quote: "I can hardly believe that, when we met, my idea of '... Read more Read less
See it if an intense performance that is an enacted poem, not a play.
Don't see it if You like a linear plot or a traditional play. This is a dark dramatic poetry reading and requires attentive listening.
See it if Solo performance of an Irish poem using props as characters. Excellent use of video unlike WWS.
Don't see it if You like multi characters and a linear plot. Its's poetry and requires attentive listening.