Of Human Bondage NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (137)
See it if Move over Bette Davis. Soulpepper's adaptation delivers Maugham's tortured souls in a very theatrical adaptation of a tale of a man obsessed
Don't see it if you can't take a grim tale of manipulation and deceit. Highly inventive staging. Compelling, but definitely not a show for a first date.
See it if You are an immigrant or have immigrant parents or friends, it relates to anyone who ever felt like an outsider trying to fit in.
Don't see it if If you are in the middle of a traumatic relationship and fell vulnerable.
See it if Finally Maugham's classic novel is brought to life with a play so creative and engrossing that 2 1/2 plus hours flies away pleasurably.
Don't see it if you prefer low brow entertainment or want a lavish musical.
See it if You like cleverly staged, intelligent dramas and appreciate talented actors portraying multiple roles.
Don't see it if You do not appreciate non-traditional staging or the story of Of Human Bondage
See it if the level of creativity in the direction of this compelling drama is consistently enthralling and the actors are wonderful
Don't see it if the Somerset Maugham story can be depressing and frustrating and a trifle slow at times, though be sure to stay for the second act!
See it if you want to see a top notch melodrama that is well-written, well-acted, superbly directed, wonderfully staged and thoroughly enjoyable
Don't see it if you cannot deal with watching someone with a self-destructive obsession in a certainly dated narrative
See it if You want to experience this wonderful theater company.This is the 2nd show I've seen by Soulpepper and both productions are terrific.
Don't see it if This play, based on Maugham's book, is not for everyone.It is a tragic story,but beautifully staged and acted. The cast is outstanding.
See it if You enjoy inventive staging, use of an ensemble cast and constant movement on stage and in the story line.
Don't see it if you have trouble following the fluid nature of staging without set scenery.
Critic Reviews (23)
“A near flawless and stunning presentation of a play that captures and focuses our attention to the dynamic energy on stage after a momentary slow start. Get to see this one before it closes as you will witness true craft performance by twelve artists at their best…Our hearts continually break for Gregory Prest as central character Philip…This 2017 production has had its polishing and is an astonishing production. Make sure you see this one before it closes.”
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“‘Of Human Bondage’ scores on every level and from all angles…Prest and Monteith are pitch-perfect...All other actors play multiple roles, each worthy of separate praise...The characters have such depth you forget there are actors inside them…The staging is astonishing but so integrated that it offers no distraction...Indeed so much is being done with such economy it is hard to know on whom to lavish praise…A rich and beautifully rendered story that you don’t want to miss.”
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“The evening grows considerably richer as the story expands in scope in the second half, and the cumulative effects of Schultz’s virtuosic staging and the cast’s excellent ensemble playing add up to something quite satisfying…The first act comes across overall like a bodice-ripper. An exceedingly well-staged bodice-ripper…Thiessen’s adaptation and Schultz’s staging consistently forge a clear narrative path even as the bravura acting company doubles and triples up on roles.”
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“It’s decades since I read the book, but I wouldn’t doubt that Thiessen’s dramatization is the best and cleverest possible. It still isn’t tightly wound enough to be a play. That isn’t a condemnation (‘Of Human Bondage’ makes a better evening than many plays) but it does indicate a frustration. Philip’s story never comes to a point…There’s no definite climax: something a novel can do without but a play can’t...The various supporting characters remain shadowy. They are also unevenly acted."
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“A fine adaptation…The production stumbles a bit, for while we get a strong sense of the medical people in his life, the artistic side isn't as well fleshed out. But that's a minor problem in the play's rich world, with Prest an engaging figure…I wish that Duffy had more to do, but she makes an impression in a brief appearance as a stage diva who changes Philip's life…Mike Ross's soundscape is, as usual, creative and just right.”
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“It’s a beautiful production. Everything works together: the cast, the direction, the set, the lighting, the sound and music…Brilliant direction by Albert Schultz…Even though the novel was written more than a hundred years ago the story is still relevant and recognizable...It’s beautiful, evocative and imaginative. Really amazing theatre.”
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“Richly layered and pleasantly entertaining…A strikingly beautiful adaptation…A poignant conclusion suggesting that we are all living pieces of art with elements of hurt and pain simply adding color to the canvas is about as heartwarming as it gets. Thankfully director Albert Schultz takes nothing for granted in this deeply moving story...Never before has the company ventured into meticulous design territory like this.”
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