The Dead, 1904 NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (58)
See it if ...you are a fan of James Joyce or if you specifically loved this book. It is enchanting to meet these iconic characters in a party/dinner.
Don't see it if ...you have rigid rules about how theatre happens. This is a differnt kind of experience...emersive theatre with dinner and drinks. Lovely!
See it if Show is about a gathering in Dublin in 1904. The setting in Irish Historical Society sets the tone. Audience gets immersed in the show.
Don't see it if If your into musical theater you may not appreciate it. Read more
See it if Immersive theatre delights you
Don't see it if If you are not familiar with the source material.
See it if you love immersive theater where you are part of the show. you love James Joyce, you want to see the American Irish historical society
Don't see it if if you don't like to be part of a show if you don't like a PLAY vs a musical if you want to bring kids - not the type of show for kids Read more
See it if magical evening, celebrating Christmas at the home of spinster sisters in 1906 Dublin. Audience eats & drinks as dinner guests.
Don't see it if Unable to suspend disbelief to enjoy dinner “theater” in a historic townhouse, Irish Historical Society. Read more
See it if Great immersive play in a beautiful setting. Acting is great and it's an overall great experience. Delicious food! :-)
Don't see it if The story doesn't really have an arc, but several interesting interactions that keep us entertained throughout.
See it if You love immersive theater with great food and drinks that transports you back in time.
Don't see it if You don’t like to stand around during long scenes.
See it if you want a truly immersive experience of Joyce's novella, including good alcohol and exquisite (yet simple) food. You feel you're in 1904.
Don't see it if a slow and steady pace without much "action" or you're not prepared to spend the cash to see it. It's special but very expensive.
Critic Reviews (18)
“It’s holiday-party setting gives ‘The Dead’ the cozy familiarity of turkey and mashed potatoes served with a heaping spoonful of agita...This is its third incarnation...Gilbert reprises her role as Gretta...Joyce's story was adapted for the big screen by John Huston in a 1987 film version and for the Broadway stage in a 2000 musical, but neither could ever make us a part of the story the way Irish Rep's intimate, immersive production does...The evening passes like a waking dream.”
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"Ciarán O’Reilly, the director, stages these happenings with an easy flow...The actors mostly provide natural performances...The exquisite detail and insightful characterizations embodied by Leon Dobkowski’s period costumes enhance the company’s fine portrayals...Although 'The Dead, 1904' cannot completely plumb and express the emotional richness of Joyce’s story, its subtle humor and much of its poignant mood shines through."
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“An immersive take on Joyce’s short story...The story is a meandering, genteel narrative...’The Dead, 1904’ suddenly hits us with emotional weight and sobriety...The final scene is a beautiful melancholy scene that left me wanting to learn more...Whilst the play feels relatively slow...the text feels like it flies by at lightning pace...’The Dead, 1904’ is more than dinner theater, and although it did not live up to my own expectations, I could not help but be charmed by the piece.”
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"The performers inhabit their roles with vivacity, seemingly unaware of the audience members whose eyes are trained on them...But when the adapters translate Gabriel’s turbulent sensations into a long monologue, the spell of closely observed naturalism is inevitably broken...Ultimately 'The Dead, 1904' is more memorable as a festive party than as a heart-searing tale of the elusiveness of love, and the sadness — but also the beauty — inherent in the transitory nature of life."
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"Neither the writing nor the ensemble acting does much to fill in the spaces of Joyce’s spare descriptions...It is good fun for a while...But more often, the dialogue seems forced; the audience is not integrated into the action, but merely watches it at uncomfortably close range...'The Dead, 1904' fares best at its conclusion, when it abandons the conceit of our presence at the party...In this openly theatrical and literary scene, the story comes briefly to life."
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"A skillfully staged, immersive adaptation...The show is transporting, thanks in large part to its elegant setting...It’s a subtle but haunting tale, and the immersive adaptation draws us into it skillfully. We have to jostle for optimum position in the small rooms and risk losing some intimate moments. But the dinner scene, in which we dine with the characters, is beautifully handled, and when we sit in the Conroys’ bedroom during their emotional exchange, the effect is nearly voyeuristic."
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"'The Dead' is ideally suited for the immersive theater treatment since it brings to life a boisterous holiday party, full of dancing, drinking, singing, toasting and eating. The production (directed with an eye for detail by Ciaran O’Reilly) manages to combine the fun and spontaneity of immersive theater with tender and nuanced acting from an accomplished cast. The dialogue is lifted directly from the original text...Even with dinner and drinks included, the ticket price is absurdly expensive."
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"Through a series of choreographed moments (some more subtle than others), director Ciarán O'Reilly gives us the feeling of being invited to a family dinner during which a few skeletons escape the closet...While it doesn't feel as effortless as other immersive attractions, it gets the job done...'The Dead, 1904' is full of finely crafted moments, as well as many more that have a blunter quality. It's not a perfect immersive production, but one has to admire Irish Rep for taking the risk."
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