My Eyes Went Dark NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
107group presents a tragedy inspired by true events about a Russian father driven to revenge after losing his family in a plane crash. Part of 59E59's annual Brits Off Broadway festival.
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See it if If you want to be provoked by a story and great acting.
Don't see it if If you just want to be entertained without any thought provoking material.
See it if You appreciate seeing actors jump in and out of various characters and time frames with skill and full commitment.
Don't see it if Watching someone go through personal tragedy is not your thing.
See it if The characterization was confusing but overall it was absorbing though uneven
Don't see it if you're not interested in a dark true revenge story
See it if you appreciate powerfully emotional and dark themes, precision timing, complex characters and relationships/realism presented by two actors.
Don't see it if violence, death, dispair, retribution, self-discovery and redemption unduly disturb/irritate you or you prefer light cheery musical/big set.
See it if you want an intense two person show. Some of the best acting in a close upfront theater. Highly recommend it.
Don't see it if don't like 2 person shows. The show can be a little confusing, since the characters and scenes do jump time forwards and backwards. Read more
See it if great acting and an engaging story are all you need in a piece of theater.
Don't see it if you want to see a large cast and elaborate sets.
See it if you like dark, deep drama that is unflinching as it looks at the human condition.
Don't see it if If you are looking for light and fun. Read more
See it if you can appreciate stories of revenge and moral responsibility and intense stories told in interesting ways.
Don't see it if you are sensitive to representations of grief and rage, dislike plays where one actor plays multiple roles, or have a short attention span.
Critic Reviews (22)
"For a supreme example of high-octane acting in a small space, try ‘My Eyes Went Dark,’ a flintily uncompromising two-hander…This piece also serves as a welcome reminder of the boundless potential of theatre…Our empathy is engaged by an astonishing performance from Jayasundera…It’s high-order work of astounding versatility; in a bigger theatre than this it would make waves and win awards…It’s some of the finest work I’ve had the pleasure to watch in a long time.”
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“It is hard to imagine a less theatrical stage work…This piece has the feel of a long, ethereal radio play…Wilkinson has written a play that is deliberately disjointed and can be very confusing as time circles around. It doesn't help that the central figure is driven mad by his loss, such that his behavior is often irrational. ‘My Eyes Went Dark’ tries hard to get under the skin of an innocent victim but many might conclude that it misses its goal by some way."
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“The telephone as a device is repeatedly used until it overstays its welcome. The audience is required to work harder than necessary to make sense of what is going on...MacAninch’s interpretation of Nikolai is believable enough, but the character is portrayed as abstract and aloof…The show suffers because it is very difficult to feel any sympathy for Nikolai…The narrative is not in chronological order, making it difficult to follow quite exactly who is alive and dead at a given point.”
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“A thought-provoking and accomplished new play brought to vivid life in a high-quality production…Each scene peels away a new layer of character, events and meaning, which sets the previous in a new light…It is Jayasundera’s work that staggers…Superb technical accomplishment sees her snap between roles...in a heartbeat but talent demands that she embodies them so completely and convincingly.”
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“One of the finest pieces of theatre produced this season…Wilkinson takes you on a spectacularly believable journey…The multi-talented Jayasundera who played every other character in the play could not be faulted. She had made a complete, seamless choice for each. With two such magnificent actors, this play truly shines…If I had queued overnight for this production, it would have been worth it. It would be a crime if a single seat for this production goes unsold.”
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“This is not a simple play. Matthew Wilkinson’s script speaks volumes and is executed perfectly by the two actors. Jayasundera’s many characters are flawless and distinct – it is a privilege to watch this woman work. It is a superlative example of exceptional acting confined to two electrifying performances that make the script breathe life, and death. The story is uncomfortable and gritty and the production visceral and bare. Go into this play prepared; it is not for the faint hearted.”
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