Shell Shock NYC Reviews and Tickets

75%

(12 Reviews)

Positive

92%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Relevant, Great acting, Intense, Thought-provoking, Ambitious

About the Show

Part of Soho Playhouse's Fringe Encore Series: This new drama explores an ex-soldier’s struggle to adjust to civilian life following tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Member Reviews (12)

Intense, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Heartbreaking, Insightful

See it if British army vet's life falls apart due to escalating PTSD. Deep character development. Had me in tears by the end.

Don't see it if You are not interested in PTSD. You do not want to feel attached to a strong but wounded person.

Absorbing, Great acting, Intense, Intelligent, Thought-provoking

See it if You want a multi-layered look at a soldier dealing w/PTSD. You want powerful acting & an unique view of soldiers.

Don't see it if You don't want intense drama. You're uncomfortable w/depictions of war & PTSD.

Relevant, Thought-provoking, Edgy, Emotional, Intense

See it if You are the interested in seeing PTSD from the point of view of a female soldier. You are comfortable with one actor plays.

Don't see it if You can't deal with the effort you need to expend to understand the very heavy, often very rapidly delivered Irish dialect. Often very loud

Dizzying, Intense, Slow, Relevant

See it if You need a lesson on the individual soldiers mental afterlife of modern war

Don't see it if You want a pleasant evening out

Relevant, Disappointing, Informative

See it if you don’t know what PTSD is or have never seen any representations of it on the news or tv

Don't see it if you’re already familiar with representations of PTSD in the media (repressed/expressed anger, depression, triggers, nightmares, flashbacks) Read more

Great acting, Intense, Thought-provoking

See it if you want to see a show about PSTD.

Don't see it if If you find it difficult understanding British accents, and you don't want to hear what some soldiers feel when they come home.

Good acting, Relevant, Ambitious

See it if you are interested in a different perspective on a soldier's story. Conveyed through a female British soldier readjusting to civilian life.

Don't see it if the thought of a minimalist, black box, one-woman show makes you cringe. Also, it's based on a diary, and that medium is very present here.

Absorbing, Great acting, Ambitious, Intense

See it if you want to see a realistic portrayal of PSTD.

Don't see it if You are disturbed by a graphic portrayal of PSTD. Read more

Critic Reviews (2)

For a previous production

"It's often said that actors deliver a 'stunning performance,' but in this case it's literally true: the intensity of Tom Page's portrayal is a shock for the senses, though to director Tim Marriott's credit it never feels out-of-control or overdone...'Shell Shock' isn't quite meant for me; it's an invitation into a world I can never fully understand...But thanks to Marriott's clever adaptation and Page's commanding performance, this stage version is vivid and compassionate."
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For a previous production

"This is a superior performance piece that is built slowly and, though it may be predictable, the way you are engaged throughout draws you into the piece...The direction has an assured quality which allows you to feel that this has authenticity and the desire to both educate and entertain...The performance is simply astonishing and astounding and led me to pick up a dictionary to look under superlatives."
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