The Original Theatre Company and Ghost Light Theatre Productions present this madcap comedy of manners in which class and culture collide in small-town England. Part of the annual Brits Off Broadway festival. More…
With the recession biting hard, Emily and Oliver have decided to downsize and shift their middle-class London lifestyle to a small town in the north of England. One night they invite next door neighbors, Dawn and Alan, into their home. What follows is a disastrous evening of olives, anchovies, Karl Marx, and abstract art, with consequences as tragic as they are hilarious.
See it if Bickering middle class couple meets lower class couple and surprises ensue. Class evil + human foibles + farce. Some very funny moments.
Don't see it if A bit disjointed and confusing. It took some effort to figure out the significance of the neighbor's cat and the play's title.
See it if English class distinctions amuse you.
Don't see it if you are expecting an American style comedy. There are some funny moments but overall this is a depressing experience.
See it if fine ensemble shows in hilarious 1st act and moving 2nd act corrosive nature of class divide
Don't see it if tonal differences btwn broad comedic 1st act & contrived 2nd act psychological drama so stark feel as if seeing 2 different plays
See it if you enjoy British dramedy, characters, and situations. This is not so far from our own society. Comedy turns quickly dark and insightful.
Don't see it if you have any difficulty with English accents, (these are not heavy), don't like comic shows that turn dark; drunken scenes; stereotypes.
Also This was a wonderful show. Just when one felt that it was going nowher... Read more Read less
See it if you like British humor.Acting is fine, but characters are all 1-dimensional, writing is preachy.
Don't see it if you want well rounded characters.2nd Act had too much about British politics that was impossible for me to follow, however relevant it is!
See it if you enjoy dark comedies with British humor and themes of class and privilege. You like new British plays that are socially relevant .
Don't see it if you don't like a ridiculously funny act 1 turn into a more serious and dramatic act 2 (but this shift is well done).
See it if English humor, satire of social classes & cultures; relationships; very funny parts & then some (in Act 2) that are touching & tragic
Don't see it if long even tho funny; some exaggerated behavior by characters - so that they become caricatures; contrived plots involving misunderstandings
Also Graeme Brookes was very funny
See it if An edgy piece wherein the first act action & characterizations don't quite match with the second, but interesting & powerful themes are re-
Don't see it if ...vealed. Every surface can obscure a secret. Wonderful performances of stock characters but we've seen this clash of class before.
See it if you enjoy a British comedy that reflects the internationally relevant issues of class and politics with a bit of silliness and slapstick.
Don't see it if you only appreciate high brow humor.
See it if British humor is your thing. Except for Benny Hill (whose theme song is used here) it's not MY thing. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed this show.
Don't see it if straight-up comedy is what you want. Act I's humor is like a bandaid-prep that's ripped off in Act II. It totally works. Cast is EXCELLENT.
Also Was really hesitant to see it, as I don't get/or like British sarcasm.... Read more Read less
See it if you want 2 C a pleasant British show that has clever & funny performances, & becomes dramatic about new neighbors of different classes
Don't see it if you are not a fan of British style humor about the differences of class society & how it affects new neighbors in Northern England.
See it if Good acting. Social satire , it is enjoyable enough but a bit frustrating that the characters and plots aren't able to be developed
Don't see it if Class issues and social welfare push your buttons. The Plethora of themes and twists are interesting but lack depth
See it if you like amusing, somewhat farcical humor, but also has perceptive, serious insights into human nature that is extremely well acted.
Don't see it if you dislike farce and "in you face" humor.
Also The play was an excellent production with superb direction.
See it if you like fun dialog and interaction between characters. Kept my interest through out. Easy to watch.
Don't see it if don't like plays in English accent or plays about family interactions.
See it if Great act one farcical laugh machine. Plenty of drama emerges in act two. Something for everyone in a rich stew. Cast is very cohesive.
Don't see it if Playwright misdirects audience with vast tonal shift. Set with no chairs is pointless and unrealistic.
Also Theater's elderly audience is distracting, so obtaining a great seat i... Read more Read less
See it if A treat for those that love British theatre. A comedy that is given a chance to be seen here.
Don't see it if You have limited interest in seeing a British import that is off broadway.
See it if exaggerated communication between different classes would humor you
Don't see it if a more fine-tuned depiction of these issues instead of excessive caricatures would be preferred
See it if You enjoy shows like "Good Neighbors," plus added drama. Well done,
Don't see it if You don't like war of the classes dramedy.
See it if u want a funny, well acted play that's like 5 episodes of a comedy drama series all in 1. Some clever moments leaning towards the pedestrian
Don't see it if u want cutting edge, masterful theater. All actors do well but my mind wandered a bit & I didn't feel totally moved at the end. Kinda cliche
See it if you enjoy comedies of manners, i.e. city folk meet country folk. But story is predictable, which made it feel long..
Don't see it if Emily's Act 1 constant hysteria got on my nerves. It should be toned down a bit.
See it if you are interested in plays about the difference between economic classes.
Don't see it if you find the unreconciled juxtaposition of farce in one act with serious business in the second to be too great a failing.
Also The issues around class differences—education, financial well-being, s... Read more Read less
See it if you are interested in Class divide between two couples.Political & personal creating a very well acted emotional rollercoaster
Don't see it if you have difficult with British accent.
See it if U want to see banal senseless uncreative story that seems to contradict the writer's intentions to satirize values of different classes.
Don't see it if U are bothered by depraved perverted use of animal cruelty/abusive killing as the denominator for a sick so-called dark comedy that is cheap
Also Torben Betts wrote an unimaginative script that is flawed, troubling &... Read more Read less