Intrusion

See it if you'll bring your thinking-caps. Much to absorb, if you're actually interested in what you've invested in by purchasing a tkt to this show.

Don't see it if you can handle a one-woman show about rape (8 characters in a bit over an hr). More seminar than play, w/tons of statistics thrown @ you.

Also Hesitant @ first, glad we jumped.

W/her strong stage-presence, Qurrat Kadwani does a surprisingly good job on the 8 distinguishable character voices & postures. She includes minor costume (prop) changes during very short video projections, to help distinguish character or setting changes (all welcoming for a one-person show).

Looking for more drama from these characters, I felt a slight disconnect because... unless my memory from Sunday is wrong... none were victims themselves. So, their parts were more for stats-sharing than for personal experience-sharing.

The book IS full of stats, although I don't think you can get around that. She's written it 20yrs into the future, so the stats being presented are from the "NOW": facts from our recent past & current present.

It DID feel like a "classroom" presentation & not a traditional play, but we didn't have a problem w/that. It did NOT feel overdone, @ a bit over an hr.

A must-see for most, especially for High-School & College students.... Read more Read less

See it if you want facts about Rape and see a different perspective from different folks

Don't see it if you dont like one person playing multiple characters

Also Though a talented actress, at times it was confusing on who the character was as there wasn't enough of a distinction between the different characters... Read more Read less

See it if A close look at rape a subject so current. Thoughtful and well done characters.

Don't see it if Not for anyone seeking fluff. Emotionally stirring.

See it if Bravo Qurrat Ann Kadwani for this powerful production about the global problem of sexual violence! Well done!

Don't see it if The theater could really use better air conditioning but that was a small price to pay!

See it if you enjoy one person shows where numerous characters are played without interaction with each other - the actress/writer is a dynamo.

Don't see it if you hate being talked at by 8 different characters in a futuristic time/circumstance that doesn't quite hold up. Lots of data shared.

Also Stage lighting was blinding in the first row.

See it if you enjoy excellent acing, but an overdone subject; might be upsetting to rape victims; interesting and differing points of view

Don't see it if you are bored with the subject matter and don't like one handers, even well acted ones.

See it if you’re interested in a wholehearted, unequivocal expression of solidarity w/ rape victims and others affected by gender based violence

Don't see it if you’re more interested in a show’s artistic function than its social function; you want a voyeuristic recount of assault w/ lots of crying

Also Intrusion has an active college tour which I think is the best context to see it in. Not much here a mature adult wouldn’t already know. The casual viewer expecting a new insight into the female mind or into a victim's perspective will be disappointed. However, the show affirms anyone hoping to hear an informed public figure speak out against how routinely sexual violence is eclipsed by both the reputations of aggressors & the inconvenience posed to institutions to address it.

I admit I boosted my score from 68 to 70 when, literally 1 day after I saw this, news broke on Education Secretary DeVos’ proposed curtailment of Title IX. It’s always been women’s special responsibility to understand that if she can’t prove it, it never really happened. As theater, this solo’s formally unsurprising by Off-B'way standards. But as a public address, Kadwani voices a constituency that’s concerned w/ something other than artistic breakthroughs.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be "schooled" in a good way about rape culture and the #me too movement of women fighting back against sexual harassment.

Don't see it if You have no patience for a timely and important one woman show that's more of an instruction course than a play but there's drama in it too.

See it if You appreciate great acting on serious topic (rape). This is a perfect example that one-woman-show can be great without being sexual at all.

Don't see it if You are really anti-feminism. Give it a chance, there are so much happening in an hour...

See it if you like plays where one actor portrays different characters, each presenting his or her perspective on a shocking event.

Don't see it if if plays about rape and society's reaction to it do not appeal to you.

See it if You want to hear about rape and rape culture discussed in an intellectual manner from a variety of unique perspectives.

Don't see it if If you expect an emotional impact that inspires you to act.

Also Though there were several unusual and interesting angles to view the information from and a clever setting (20 years after eradicating sexual violence) in which to present it, the play failed to generate an emotional impact. Without that impact there seems insufficient motivation to act.

If the intention was simply to create, inform, and present hypothetical tools which may or may not succeed in ending the violence, or simply to tell a unique story, then mission accomplished.

If instead it was to rally us to think in a different way or act, I think it missed the mark.

Good acting, imaginative story writing and clever staging.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy one woman shows about serious subjects, like rape and violation with facts and dates to back it up

Don't see it if You want to laugh and not think

See it if You love political theatre with a social message.

Don't see it if Everything has to make sense.

Also I was not entirely sure why this play is set 20 years in the future, or why it is called intrusion.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to encourage a new talent.

Don't see it if a half-baked attempt at a great topic will frustrate you.

Also Reminiscent of the work of Anna Deavere Smith, this show features one actor playing all the characters, providing different perspectives on the same set of events. Depicting a world in which no woman is raped in twenty years (making this really a work of speculative fiction), Kadwani relies too much on textbooky lecturing rather than the sci-fi-type worldbuilding this story requires. If she took Handmaid's Tale or Children of Men as a model, she would be more successful in putting this across. She should also get much closer to the story by portraying characters closer to the events. This is the second disappointment I've had at St. Luke's, and I'm not sure I'll go back.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to see a tour de force consisting of wonderful acting making a thought provoking statement on rape.

Don't see it if rape and great acting offends you.

See it if You like shows like Anna Deveare Smith's, in which one actor plays many different roles in realistic situations.

Don't see it if You only like linear plays with a clear plot and with many actors.

Also This felt like an important piece, and many good points were made, but it still needs some work--stronger direction would help.... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in a look at sexual assault from a point of view in an unimaginable future.

Don't see it if you're not interested

See it if like to learn a very relevant subject while entertained by a great actress performing exceptional array of characters. Truly very impressive

Don't see it if This is a must see.

See it if You are interested in an excellent actress who can portray numerous viewpoints from varied characters, like Anna Devere Smith

Don't see it if You want a full storyline drama and you are a little overwhelmed by all the talk of sexual violence

Also Ms kadwani portrays numerous characters in sketches , some of which are brillliant. I look forward to more performances from her... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear more about activism against sexual violence.

Don't see it if you don't like shows about women's issues.

See it if you enjoy watching an unbelievably versatile actor whose every word & action invests you and brings an incredible script to life.

Don't see it if you are not interested in solo plays or learning about sexual violence through theatre.

See it if You 've never experienced a solo play. It's great to see the actress transition from 1 character to another - especially a child at 1 point.

Don't see it if You're not interested in discussing the topic of sexual violence.

See it if you're looking for an emotionally and intellectually challenging bravura solo performance by a gifted writer/performer.

Don't see it if You're looking for "fluff" entertainment that doesn't require self-reflection and thought.

Also Rape is not an easily discussed public issue, especially in a theatrical environment. Quarrat Ann Kadwani‘s brilliant solo performance in Intrusion at St. Luke’s Theater offers a broad array of characters each discussing the different aspects and legalities regarding rape. They range from personal to academic. Each character she portrays has an individual and unique perspective on rape; some emotionally heartbreaking, some angry, some legal, and some intellectual. Ms. Kadwani’s combination of research, writing skills, and acting professionalism brings a difficult subject matter to the stage in such an entertaining, enthralling, and thoughtful way as to merge the feelings and thoughts of her characters with that of the audience, creating an emotional bond that brings a deeper understanding of this sensitive subject.

BRAVO to Ms. Kadwani for having the courage, integrity, and talent to make it all work beautifully. I loved the show, loved her performance, and highly recommend it.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to be provoked and moved by theatre

Don't see it if Factual insights and snippets in a show aren’t your thing