The Home Place NYC Reviews and Tickets

"There are some commendable performances, particularly from the older members of the cast who add substance to the perception of a conceited class. At times, Moore's directorial grasp slips. What should be the play’s dramatic pinnacle, collapses under chaos...'The Home Place' is nevertheless an important play that digs deep into the blight of the soul that scurries within oppressive power."
Read more

“Friel's pseudo-Chekhovian, two-act play…meanders from theme to theme, sometimes inserting symbols, like a falcon that threatens the household's chickens; unfortunately, it never truly coheres as an integrated whole. We hear a lot of interestingly informative dialogue…but must wait until well into Act Two before anything truly dramatic bursts out…The tall and slender…Rachel Pickup, as Margaret, offers the most convincing performance, bringing warmth, intelligence, and strength to the role.”
Read more

"Clashes and near head-bangings carry on in Friel’s two acts, which have the feel of Chekhov on uppers...Friel is one of those playwrights who never goes wrong...What’s deeply moving about Friel’s writing is the balance with which he present all sides of a troubled issue. It’s particularly welcome in director Moore’s production with a flawless ensemble. No one puts a foot, hand or syllable wrong, and each has at least one sterling moment to claim focus along Friel’s sure-handed, clear-eyed way."
Read more

"The cast is well suited to the piece with Mr. Randolph perfectly devilish. Charlotte Moore does a nice job of directing, but this play plods along. Thankfully the scenery by James Noone was attractive to look at."
Read more

“A collection of colorful performers under the intelligent command of director Charlotte Moore...’The Home Place’ may not be one of playwright Friel’s greatest plays, but it succeeds in delineating part of an era with its controversies, as well as presenting flesh and blood characters attempting to sort out their lives. And director Moore exhibits keen understanding of the play and an ability to effectively communicate its essence."
Read more

"The plot is slight, politics subtle. Suggested threat implied by the appearance of Con and John comes from left field, landing awkward and ill considered..Still, the piece would’ve been more credible had its actors given their characters adequate thought. Almost none of them seem to know who they are or what they actually feel making performance all surface. Almost none of them seem to know who they are or what they actually feel...A better play than its production."
Read more

"All the comments I overhead seemed to be about the set...It was hard to think of anything as complimentary to say about the rest of the production...This rendering seems unfocused...Too few of those actors are up to the task of walking the fine line between grit and whimsy that defines so much of Friel's work...Under Moore's shaky direction, several of the male actors make eccentric choices that undercut not only their characters but the narrative of the play."
Read more

"'Friel’s most subtle, powerful, and complicated work. Irish Rep's rendition of Friel’s play gloriously captures Friel’s subtle power. Not only are the sets, staging, lighting, and artistic elements lustrous, the quiet dark tones and gradual evolution toward the climax become the transports to the profound thematic conclusion...One must pay attention and not miss the clever cues Moore leaves throughout as the conflict ratchets up by degrees then explodes to the climax."
Read more