London Assurance

See it if Excellent comic stage presence made the hijinks work. Witty wordplay with expressive Elizabethan language. Detailed period set & costumes.

Don't see it if You are uninterested in a 19th century romantic farce that goes on for 2 1/2 hours. Simple characters, elaborate speech.

Also Sir Harcourt opens the play with his cheeks bright red from excessive makeup. His friend Max remarks, "You are looking rosy." Sir Harcourt asks, "Am I too florid?"... Read more Read less

See it if to see an elegantly staged 19th C farce, wherein love triangles, deceptions & hijinx abound and lead to a predictable (but satisfying) end.

Don't see it if u seek something heady, deep or contemporary; u don't appreciate 19th Century comedy of manners; u expect the biting wit of Shaw or Wilde.

See it if Moore's brisk, fluid staging on a stylish turntable set & a comic ensemble impeccably led by McPhillamy & Pickup keep the hijinks bubbling

Don't see it if An early Boucicault voyage in comedic playwriting had yet to reach the heights of later, more skillfully plotted works Not w/out its charms

See it if A farce is a farce is a farce .It amazes that it was written 200 years ago (just short of 20 years ) Not a weak link in the cast of 10.

Don't see it if See also for positive and negative When the theater was redesigned a few years ago, why were the seats not realigned?

Also Not only great scenic design it puts many Broadway houses to shame) but the costumes do it as well.Kudos to Charlotte Moore for the directing, Sara Jean Tosetti for the costumes and James Noone for the set.Great idea for the rehearsal photos in the Playbill. (DO NOT ELIMINATE PLAYBILLS) However Divino, Keene and Joseph missed out on the photos. Why does Max Harkavy get double credit in the cast? (Keene)......
.Back to the seats
Reminder 2nd Row not raked
.. Also.. something should have been done re: leg room for most of the seats.
My aisle seaters rule has to be used..
All aisle seaters must phone/message all in the row to indicate time of arrival.

Might need a new solution re: leg room. All tickets must indicate time required to be seated (earliest at the wall seat and working outward to the aisle) .......................................................... Read more Read less

See it if curious about playwright, enjoy verbal farce, actors creating great characters, deliciously complicated plot, exquisite set

Don't see it if farce is not your thing, don't like plays from the 1850's, not in the mood for frivolous yet artful comedy, slightly overdone characters

See it if you're interested in an exquisite production where every raised brow & bouncing curl conveys subtle meaning and lots of fun.

Don't see it if 19th Century farce bores you. The plot is thin with no redeeming social value except for a good time.

See it if Witty period farce has a foppish papa and his disguised pup in a love triangle over an engagement weekend. Great unaware lead and revolve.

Don't see it if If disabling the woke-metre, you'll be delivered what this Company excels: directing, acting, writing, set,and costume in a protective time.

See it if silly, amusing play.

Don't see it if you want to see something new or something serious.

See it if you like an old fashioned farce from 1841. Dialogue is typical of that time and is a little heavy handed. Good acting and staging.

Don't see it if you don't like old plays with old fashioned dialogue. Don't see if you like modern sophisticated dramas.

Also The dialogue is very funny and witty. The character of the lawyer could be right out of a modern play. I liked the story very much and the characters were well drawn by the playwright. The Irish Rep theater has a small stage but it used the set very effectively.... Read more Read less

See it if you like stories that take place in the mid-1800s

Don't see it if You are expecting this to be a funny farce

Also I didn’t understand what was going on in the first scene and I never caught up. You could tell by the uncomfortable polite laughs at the audience was not into it either. Quite a few people left at intermission. I’m not sure who’s writing all these positive reviews on here but what I saw tonight doesn’t deserve anything positive.
Not only did I not laugh I didn’t even come close to smiling. I was annoyed by every character.
They opened up the set in the second act but completely wasted what they had in the first act.
I was expecting a farce but it wasn’t even close to being funny. On top of all of that it was 2 1/2 hours long.
Because of the terrible bathroom situation at this theater intermission was almost 25 minutes
This is really a shame because I saw two other shows that are a part of this Irish Festival one of them was life-changing good and the other one was great... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy old fashioned British plays of manners, where the outcome is always inevitable, period costumes and sometimes confusing plots.

Don't see it if you do not like old fashioned plays, silliness and unwarranted confusion of plot line.

Also Acting was good and the staging, given the limited space, was very well done.... Read more Read less

See it if 1841 costume comedy of sex and manners, Rich English buffoons parade through grand revolving set. Old-fashioned laughs

Don't see it if You don't like 19th century language -- and actors mugging at the audience. Rachel Pickup is very amusing as Lady 'Gay Spanker.

See it if you are in the mood for an intelligent comedy. Plot is absurd but it all works.

Don't see it if you don't like farces or anything old fashioned. I usually don't like farces but this one was intelligent and entertaining.

See it if 19th cent, comedy of manners with funny dialogue and characters (including their names); light, entertaining farce; beautiful costumes & set

Don't see it if don't like farces, period pieces, plot twists, over-the-top characters. Want deep social commentary. (A little bit on vanity.)

See it if You like old costume zany silly plot plays.

Don't see it if You want a modern zany silly plot play. This is very dated. Mistaken identity, stereotypes, love betrayed...two and a half long long hours.

See it if you like a British farce that was written a hundred and fifty years ago. Times have changed, but this was really funny and enjoyable.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy old plays or farces.

See it if you want to see the kind of work that would have inspired Oscar Wilde, or if drawing room farces are your thing.

Don't see it if you've had your fill of this kind of thing.

Also As so often happens at the Irish Rep, the actors seem to be overly encouraged to beef up the accent required by the part, which always is difficult for me to listen to. We understand where the play is set -- a milder accent, whether Irish or British, really would suffice.

Sometimes these old chestnuts can be snapped up and presented with a verve that shakes off the cobwebs. I didn't find that to be the case here.

Sorry.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a comedy of manners, over the top, and quite amusing.

Don't see it if you're looking for a message or characterizations that delve into meaningful insights.

See it if like to laugh at an old play. see great acting (the older actors steal the show). how shows used to be. why is this not known more.

Don't see it if want serious only. show is meant to please with a slight hint of the importance of women.

See it if You want to delight in a stunning production of a lesser known comedy from 19th century in an intimate off Broadway setting

Don't see it if You have trouble with accents or period pieces

See it if You like classic plays that make you laugh.

Don't see it if You have no patience for the classic elements of farce: mistaken identity, eavesdropping, and people pretending to be in love with someone.

Also London Assurance dates from 1841, and no one would mistake it for a Guirgis play. But director Charlotte Moore has assembled an amazing cast and stripped away the cobwebs that would hamper a lesser production.

Well-paced, and with gorgeous costumes and set design, London Assurance is surprisingly modern, as it pokes fun at entitled old guys who think they are irresistible. In contrast to that, the women come to realize that they have the ability to guide their own fate. Highly recommended!... Read more Read less

See it if You just want to have fun with a cast who are having a lot of fun.

Don't see it if You are looking for a serious drama or dark comedy.

Also Frothy fun for New Year’s Eve complete with champagne at intermission for all.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like a brief respite from 21st century NYC to travel back in time & place with frivolous people; a comedy of manners & lots of laughs

Don't see it if you expect erudite & caustic wit; this one has very old-fashioned stereotypes & instantly forgettable farce; "much ado about nothing"

Also I love the Irish Rep; they always have great seasonal offerings. This one is a lightweight but worth your time. Just see it for the earnest, humorous caricatures, great costumes & lovely sets. Lots of fun while it lasts.... Read more Read less

See it if Top tier production values, terrific acting especially Pickup and the fabulous McPhillamy. Witty and not overly slapstick.

Don't see it if You have to stay alert to follow all the plot twists and catch all the witticisms so grab some caffeine and enjoy.

See it if You like British farce. The story was like a Shakespearean love tale with twists and turns. Loved this story. Must see

Don't see it if You do not like comedy. Or farce