The Pocket Universe presents a new staging of the Jacobean revenge drama, set in present-day Hollywood. More…
The production reimagines the tragedy as a story of two sisters - a now-female Melantius, film producer, and Evadne , actress - whose different attitudes about sex, fame, and honor collide in the wake of their studio-king's misconduct. Careers are jeopardized and lives are threatened, as everyone contends with one question: when the person in power robs you of yours, how far will you go to get it back?
See it if you love (or are curious about) Jacobean tragedy beyond the familiar Shakespearean.
Don't see it if you cannot tolerate plays in early modern English, or plays with a high body count.
Also Jacobean tragedy is a weird species. Casts are large & plots farfetche... Read more Read less
See it if you to be supportive of a young company.
Don't see it if you expect an accessible theatrical experience. It is difficult to hear the performers and there are confusing elements in the plot.
See it if You want a classical play performed by a well-trained cast. You want a classical play that has relevantce to today.
Don't see it if You prefer revised classical plays: many of the extended monologues could've been edited or cut. The same ideas are repeated a lot.
See it if You can look past the tiny venue and uncomfortable folding chairs, you will see a cast that gives their all. Interesting plot.
Don't see it if you need a set, costumes and comfortable seats.
See it if you wish to discover the work of less well known Elizabethan playwrights performed with passion by a young and mostly female cast.
Don't see it if you find plays in XVII century language with contrived plots boring or would find confusing seeing female actors playing various male roles.
See it if You are interested in rarely performed Jacobean dramas which are hard to come by in NYC.
Don't see it if If you will be disappointed by a young company being overly ambitious although I personally would like to encourage this efforts.
See it if You know the actors in the show because they are very passionate and dedicated! Like an intimate setting
Don't see it if You are not into Shakespeare language, slow moving plays , , can’t keep up with who is who on the actors changing into several characters
See it if you enjoy good actors playing out intense moral and emotional dilemmas; you are interested in what audiences paid to see 400 years ago.
Don't see it if you don't like to work hard to find the good kernel inside the hard nut.
Also I saw June 13, the first preview, so I trust that cuts will be made to... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see something a little challenging and a little different.
Don't see it if heightened language makes you run screaming.
See it if you want to see an often amusing revenge tragedy played by some talented young actors in an intimate setting.
Don't see it if you expect the performance to have any connection with present day Hollywood.
See it if you like Jacobean drama with no apologies with strong women
Don't see it if you don't understand dense drama of tyrants and underlings
See it if you're looking for a nuanced, poetic exploration of the power dynamics that lead to breaking the silence around workplace harassment.
Don't see it if you like neat and tidy stories with no moral ambiguity.
See it if You love great acting and storytelling along with expert interpretation of an Elizabethian era tale that is still relevant today.
Don't see it if You can't handle a little blood spilled in your tragedies. Or if you're close -minded to women playing ALL types of roles.
See it if You want a fresh look at current events through a classic story and with great acting.
Don't see it if You’re satisfied with standard theater-as-usual.