Invincible NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
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.
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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 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 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. Read more
See it if thoughtful comedies about relationships
Don't see it if British plays
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 Read more
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 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 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).
Critic Reviews (27)
“A glorious reminder that sharp theater is alive and kicking...'Invincible’ will make you laugh, break your heart and leave you gobsmacked…Four characters, each one a masterpiece of individuation...Dawn and Alan are two of the most flesh and blood characters I’ve ever encountered...It’s practically impossible to convey the vigor, enthusiasm and inspired comedy of Graeme Brookes. His Alan is a showstopper...Do see this one. It’s the bee’s knees.”
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“Here are actors working so very hard and doing fine work, but they are impeded by an inadequate script and unimaginative direction. It’s like watching an athlete run up the down escalator over and over…Betts has written a play that tries to be too clever by half and is too long…These characters remain stereotypes and never become fully formed…Each of these actors is skilled at their craft and never wavers for an instant. In another play they would have been a pleasure to watch.”
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"The dynamics of class and intellectual/educational differences paired with the neurotic and stressed-out liberals all add up to a surprisingly strong cocktail too tasty to say no to...The dynamics of loss and the pain of motherhood and parenthood in general, are all slowly exposed but so many loose ends are left dangling. The performances are exacting and etched in detail and depth."
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"If a single play could be both laugh-out-loud funny and cry-out-loud sad at the same time it would be Torben Betts' fast-paced, high-energy, and consistently attention-grabbing 'Invincible'...It's also the rare play capable of handling multiple subjects and themes...The characters' exaggerated behavior is occasionally hilarious...Alan, as played...by the bearish Brooke, is especially memorable."
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“An impressive play…The awkward encounter between the privileged hosts and their down-to-earth guests is a monumental clash of class and culture…The hilarious first act leads to darker moments in the second act…The characters are extremely vividly drawn and their problems resonate for us. The actors are all strong, especially Graeme Brookes, whose take on Alan is worth the price of admission…It’s a play that provides both lots of laughs and lots to think about.”
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"An entertaining and incisive drama...The ease with which all is integrated not only stems from the savvy play text but on the four excellent actors who make the characters come vividly alive...There are relationship ramifications all around as the play intensifies. The four actors are terrific and keep us involved. With the Brits Off Broadway series one can generally count on such acting expertise."
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“Betts has manipulated us cleverly to look at our own humanity and the humanity of those with class perspectives and behaviors precisely counter to our own...Darcy’s excellent direction and the tremendously affecting performances in this strong ensemble piece reveal ‘Invincible’ to be a complex, thought-provoking production which examines the best and worst of our prejudices and attitudes and the strength of human character required to be truly invincible in the face of loss.”
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"'Invincible' is a terrific satire on leftist elitism that turns, quite suddenly, into affecting domestic drama. Though Mr. Betts follows an old and perhaps overused theatrical convention - a dinner party turned referendum on the relationships of those present - the humor is sharp and relentless, and the characters so clearly drawn, that it hardly matters."
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