Quietly NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (56)
See it if you love Irish storytelling, where the plot unwinds slowly thru dialogue; a relevant play about the lingering effects of civil war & hatred
Don't see it if you want a fast-paced uplifting play; don't want a play where you have to pay careful attention to each line of carefully written dialogue
See it if you like Irish plays with Irish actors, nonviolent stories based on "the troubles," great acting and accents, gripping story & confrontation
Don't see it if you don't like stories about "the troubles," plots that roll out in stories told by the characters, plays set in bars
See it if great Irish storytelling is what you seek. This is "Brian Friel" for a new generation and it's always worth seeing The Abbey Theatre.
Don't see it if small. intimate, intense story driven plays trying to make sense of the past are not for you.
See it if Like riveting acting and have always been fascinated by conflict in Ireland and the themes of reconciliation vs. revenge.
Don't see it if You have trouble with accents or like to sit in the front row- too close to some violence.
See it if If you are interested in the lingering Troubles in Northern Ireland
Don't see it if If you like current rather than past action
See it if you like plays that spark conversations. It's about what is and isn't forgivable, and how responsible are we for our actions as teenagers.
Don't see it if you have trouble with Irish accents. I am sure I missed some of the excellent dialogue because of that.
See it if timely but depressingly familiar subject matter doesn't bother you; quality acting & writing still excites despite glum human outlook
Don't see it if have trouble accepting that human behavior remains sadly consistent despite best intentions; no good deed goes unstoned
See it if You want some serious drama about a serious topic. You're willing to take a close look at violent acts and their aftermath.
Don't see it if You want a lighter experience.
Critic Reviews (32)
"This is a story of great magnitude…The text of this story, however, does not measure up to the task. The dialogue between these two men lacks credulity. Two enemies don’t pour out their hearts within 15 minutes of meeting. Plain and simple. This is a tale that begs for twists and switchback turns…As a play, it lacked the passion of the reality on which it focused. The direction and performances did little to raise the bar. Still, it got me thinking."
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"What follows, anger and poignancy, acrimony and assent, exists equally in electrified silences and fraught discourse...Under Jimmy Fay’s assertive direction, it is the silences that offer a wider gap for us to step into, observe and absorb. 'Quietly' is a thrilling, moving and prompt reminder of the consequences of conflict on ordinary citizens from the ground up; highly recommended."
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"A powerful drama that extends beyond Protestants and Catholics and into questions of how violence and hate can wound and scar people...McCafferty offers no easy answers or moralizing. His characters are complex and imperfect...I saw this production three years ago and even knowing the story I found myself still in awe of the craftsmanship of the play and the intensity of the performances. Sadly, the message about the violent damage we do to each other remains just as timely."
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"McCafferty skillfully gives his characters a treasure trove of figurative language and compelling imagery...O’Kane and Conlon deliver coercive performances...They build their characters with as much depth as they can and do that with honesty. One wishes the playwright had found a way to give his characters even more depth and roundness...Fay’s direction leaves more space between words than necessary...The importance of 'Quietly' is it in its relevance to the current socio-political climate."
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“Feels deliberately slow moving, the latter half consumed with what are essentially monologues that in the wrong hands could come off as stagey...But, under director Jimmy Fay, the actors make it credible – O’Kane, as ferocious, lean and scarred as a boxer; Conlan, defensive, in denial, and scarred; Zawadzki like a stand-in for the world, observing it all indifferently. The performances, and the specificity of the two men’s lives, help drive home the many lessons of violence.”
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"McCafferty’s writing is completely natural, but even with a brief 75-minute running time, it takes a while to pick up steam...'Quietly' takes us to a place where every politician needs to go. McCafferty’s piece is not about proving who is wrong or right. It is entirely about understanding and forgiveness...Offering a testament to the power of grace, 'Quietly' is the type of theater that will stick with you long after the curtain falls."
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“‘Quietly’ is emotionally rich and beautifully acted, with thick Irish brogues, under Fay’s carefully orchestrated direction, but, even at little more than an hour in length, its drama and surprises begin to dissipate. The concept is stimulating but in practice is hard to sustain. Still, one wonders, what would a play be like about a present-day terrorist seeking reconciliation with a victim 35 years from now? If they keep killing themselves, though, there’s no way we’ll ever know.”
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"'Quietly' is worth seeing—it absolutely is...The suspense and appeal lie in the adversaries’ give-and-take as they attempt to come to terms with their shared goal…Riveting as 'Quietly' is—the title appropriately indicates the tenor of the protagonists’ quarrel—it’s more like an appetizer than an entree. In the old days, it would have served as a strong curtain-raiser for the main event. Consequently, as they’re exiting, audiences may feel they’re hungry for more."
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