Playwrights Realm presents Jen Silverman's dark contemporary comedy riff on the lives and works of certain 19th-century novel-writing sisters. More…
In the bleak and savage moors, there live two sisters. The eldest commands the house, leaving the youngest trapped in her shadow. But when a governess arrives, lies are revealed and loyalties shift...until someone reaches her breaking point. This play examines love, power, and our longing to be seen.
See it if Silverman's Victorian/Wuthering Heights send-up has many great quirky scenes but fails to come together Good acting by ensemble (esp Cabell)
Don't see it if A whimsical/magic realism subplot fails to charm, slows main action Vague feminist/sexual motifs left undeveloped Yet manages to engross
See it if You have an interest in plays with a literary connection. You enjoy plays that surprise continually and have unexpected humor. I loved it !
Don't see it if You can't deal with horrific scenes. You have little interest in unusually written dramas in which poetry is used as a portion of the dialog
See it if an original idea in theater appeals to you. I can honestly say I've never seen a version of this story before.
Don't see it if you need a more cohesive story. The separate tracks here have nothing to do with each other, but their journeys are interesting nonetheless
See it if you are ready for the unexpected, don't mind a severe twist on Bronte-esque stories, and enjoy new works from bold playwrights taking risks.
Don't see it if you need a more realistic play (this one includes "talking animals" played by the actors) or are expected pure Bronte/Romantic literature.
See it if you are patient with a work-in-progress that has potential unfulfilled, fine acting with a weak script, horror-story narrative.
Don't see it if you expect more refined and polished work from this fine company,
See it if you enjoy mocking takes on classic fiction, don't take your literature too seriously, and want to laugh, a lot. Birgit Huppoch is a joy.
Don't see it if you prefer classic, serious, deep theater. The play is a bit slow at first as the story builds, but the end is malevolently delicious!
See it if You like offbeat shows
Don't see it if You like musicals
See it if you have always wanted to see a Bronte novel adapted by Monty Python, and enjoy plays where you have no idea what's going to happen next.
Don't see it if you have a low tolerance for black humor, talking dogs, fog, and copious stage blood.
See it if You don't mind bad acting, poor production values, unfortunate direction,and a convulted and slly plot.
Don't see it if You value good acting, excellent production effects, good direction, and an interesting plot.
See it if Exquisite writing, superb acting, the creation of a mysterious world with great female characters, moving themes, unexpected humour.
Don't see it if You do not enjoy peculiar settings, somewhat dark themes, and strange humour.
See it if you want to see a sedate Rocky Horror meets the Brontes meets gothic mystery...you like fierce women or isolation. Very dark. Very funny.
Don't see it if you like linear, clear plots. If you like to be told the answer. Though 1h40m, it dragged in places and is still a little in need of focus.
See it if you're a huge bronte fan, you love female-led pieces
Don't see it if personally I hate when people play animals in plays, so that was a huge turn-off. A few irrelevant pseudo-philosophical tangents
See it if you like Victorian or Bronte-esque spins on love, life, and sisterhood that are quirky and oddball and dark
Don't see it if you don't like quirky, bizarre, or oddball humor
See it if you're interested in a unique with intriguing characters. You're interested in twisted takes on period pieces.
Don't see it if you are an impatient theatre-goer. A certain amount of generosity is needed to allow this play be what it is.
Also Birgit Huppuch is absolutely incredible in her commitment to her chara... Read more Read less
See it if you like up-and-coming playwrights, contemporary humor and period dress, and/or have a fondness for Jane Austen, etc.
Don't see it if you can't stand stage fog machines!! Tons of fog. Cough.
See it if you like original, quirky plays that are both dark and comedic
Don't see it if you prefer plays that go with the grain
See it if you love the Bronte Sisters and Monty Python equally.
Don't see it if you need everything in a play to add up.
See it if you like Jen Silverman's other work, or you enjoy quirky plays with strong female characters.
Don't see it if you don't like quirky plays or are expecting something serious.
See it if you are interested in female dynamics a la Emily Bronte. Not everything worked perfectly in this show, but it was very interesting to see!
Don't see it if You are looking for a safe bet or only have one night to see a show in New York.
See it if You want to see great acting and great design (particularly the lighting)
Don't see it if You want a straightforward contemporary plot
See it if you enjoy experimental works. Moors is wild, wacky, weird, and witty. It kept growing on me. Plot was unusual and engrossing. Strong acting.
Don't see it if you hate non-traditional theater. This is long (almost 2 hrs). Highly unusual script; much of it works. I would cut the dog and hen.
Also I was disappointed that this play, set in England, boasted no British ... Read more Read less
See it if You want to check out a young playwright that's got a unique voice and an interesting one, just in desperate need of an editor.
Don't see it if You can't sit through an hour and forty minutes for a great forty-five minute play.
See it if You want to support an emerging playwright and see a 7:30pm show that ends 9:25pm (no intermission). If you can follow confusing plots.
Don't see it if You value good acting and a coherent plot since that is severely lacking here.
See it if you want to see a show-stealing performance by Birgit Huppuch. She takes risks, and they all pay off!!
Don't see it if you want to see something more than a work in progress. This play is really not ready for prime time as yet.
Also A few things bothered me about this production, and I don't think they... Read more Read less
See it if you like gothic tales with dark, twisted characters. I didn't feel that this production held together-audience more enthusiastic than I was.
Don't see it if You don't like edgy and want more trad storytelling. You are fog-smoke sensitive-LOTS of it. Some of the story interests, but it's bizarre.
Also I seem to have attended a different show from most of the reviewers. I... Read more Read less