Austin Pendleton directs a new revival of this comic drama from the 50s, which follows the true-life misadventures of the famed English woman of the 14th Century. More…
Margery Kempe thinks she is a remarkable woman. The rest of the world doesn't quite see it that way. Kempe begins her career by throwing her lot in with the Devil and buying a brewery. When this doesn’t work out, she decides to become a saint instead, although she has none of the qualifications for the job. Based on 'The Book of Margery Kempe,' the first autobiography written in English.
See it if you're a Nichols fan; she stands out. O'Connell is a worthy counterpart. Ensemble isn't great (director's fault?) TSMK's plot fascinates.
Don't see it if you're easily bored; every scene is too long. Humor unevenly elicits laughs. Key messages get buried. Not a waste, but misses the mark.
Also TSMK is highly uneven. Sometimes the script is brilliant (and funny) a... Read more Read less
See it if You don’t mind seeing a show that’s got some pretty good moments in it but gets bogged down with some pretty uneven acting.
Don't see it if You want a great show with good acting, sets and costumes. It all felt pretty amateurish to me.
See it if You want a comedy that is not that funny.first act all over, second has better energy but still falls short.
Don't see it if If you want a more serious play. If you want something that is consistant.
See it if you want to learn of an obscure 1490s mystic & poor man's Joan of Arc in an obscure (& dull) 1950s play about the relentless search for fame
Don't see it if you expect to laugh [I'm not really sure this is even a comedy], to be moved, or to be impressed by Pendleton's usually reliable direction.
See it if if you feel that effort deserves some rewards Also if you enjoy drawn out escapades and want to see some fine acting
Don't see it if you want to see a story that you can believe where a woman leaves her 14 (reduced to less than half) children behind to search for ??????
See it if you want a night of escape with a great troupe of actors bringing about hilarity with a medieval story.
Don't see it if if you are impatient - the first act dragged a little at times, but the production was redeemed in the second act.
See it if Forlorn middle-aged wife in Middle Ages feigns sainthood, expecting adventurous life unencumbered. Comedy centers on passable lead.
Don't see it if Staticly-staged comedy that Austin Pendleston directs time and time again.
See it if unusual picaresque tale set in middle ages about a woman who asserts herself, less saint, more pain in the a**; breezy humor; solid cast
Don't see it if cartoonish characters, humor often overly broad, almost vaudevillian; some scenes too long, dialogue sometimes listless
Also According to Wikipedia: Margery Kempe (c. 1373 – after 1438) was an En... Read more Read less
See it if This comedy has some funny parts. It's about a woman who wants more out of life during the time when women didn't have choices.
Don't see it if If you just like musicals.
See it if Several funny scenes like when she goes on the pilgrimage dressed as a fake saint and the boat hits a wild storm.
Don't see it if Would be funnier as a 90 minute farce, no intermission. Runs 2 hours 15 minutes.
See it if You are fascinated with the idea of resurrecting "the first autobio" and want to follow a woman's strange desire to be recognized as great.
Don't see it if You are an Austin P. fan (but he falls short here,) or are ok with a few talented actors working hard to make you care about any of it.
See it if You like comedies about midieval times that are quirky & require you to let your imagination just go with it. Great acting. Very funny!!
Don't see it if You need structure and consistency like a Shakespeare play. Mocks religion. Raunchy at times and out there. Not for the straight-laced.
Also The actors are fantastic. They deliver the material with direction by ... Read more Read less
See it if You like farce of any kind
Don't see it if You want a good funny show.
See it if You know someone in the cast or like very dialogue heavy over the top pieces. This didn't know if it wanted to be a comedy or drama.
Don't see it if The staging was unmotivated, good actors- whom I normally love- played over the top characters that were boring and felt forced.
See it if you are a big fan of Austin Pendleton and want to support his efforts; otherwise I can't recommend it.
Don't see it if you don't have time to waste.
See it if You’re very patient
Don't see it if If you want an interesting play.
See it if Expertly acted comedy (!) of religious mystic woman in 15th century England. Andrus Nichols on a comic romp as the obsessive Margery.
Don't see it if You have no interest in the Middle Ages. Director Austin Pendleton takes this story of a religious fanatic and turns it on its head. A riot!
See it if you enjoy morality plays, parodies, or plays with interesting female characters. Occasionally funny with some good acting performances.
Don't see it if you prefer plays with a quick pace and consistent tone. Some scenes drag while the attempted humor in other scenes missed the mark.
See it if you like the cast, who did their best with little to work with. I’d watch Jason O’Connell read a phone book, & I rather wished he had been.
Don't see it if you require a sympathetic protagonist, an interesting plot, or a reason to care about anything happening onstage.
See it if a cleverly staged play about a medieval woman’s claim of sanctity with actors playing multiple roles (a la Bedlam) good-naturedly appeals.
Don't see it if First act drags, you’ll sit through some muggery & I found it a bit misogynistic, but second act perks up. Philosophical but easy to follow.
See it if you support great actors doing their darnedest to make a poorly-done play, with some comedic attempts, work to hit head and funny-bone.
Don't see it if seeking riotous humor or a thoughtful work with a clear, poignant end message. The very religious may take offense to the mockery of faith.
Also The off-beat The Saintliness of Margery Kempe is based upon the first ... Read more Read less
See it if you like shows with intelligent humor about religion and society that is as timely today as it was in yesteryear.
Don't see it if you don't like jokes about social commentary or are a devout Christian who is easily offended.
See it if You want to see a play about a woman that feels she wants more out of life and she sets out to get it among challenges and obstacles.
Don't see it if You are not interested in a play about a woman on a mission.
See it if like shows about women's place in society, religious hypocrisy, farces, excellent acting and a timely message from the 14th century.
Don't see it if you dislike farces that just "miss" being funny enough and are tired of discrimination against women themes.
See it if Desperate housewife of Middle Ages England lies her way to fame and wrecking balls her way through people. Charlatan doesn’t seem to learn.
Don't see it if Whiny white woman, waa, weep, waa stories annoy you. Quick switching of actors as characters is confusing.
Also Free ticket from Show Score.