Angry Young Man
About the show
Urban Stages in association with East Hampton's John Drew Theater present the US premiere of this fast-paced British comedy about a Middle Eastern surgeon who immigrates to England,. More…
The doctor arrives in London in search of work and a new life. Instead, through a series of hilarious mistakes and hapless missteps, he runs afoul of both white nationalists and liberal hypocrites, and discovers some surprising truths about the way immigrants are viewed.
"Skip this review, and go buy a ticket to the funniest show in New York. Nothing I can write here is as entertaining as Ben Woolf’s script delivered by the four brilliant clowns/comedians/comic actors in the ensemble under the direction of Stephen Hamilton...Rarely does a comedy live and die by its choreography, but the precision of the comedic movements came straight out of Keystone Studios." Full Review
“A Swiftian satire, funny on the surface with plenty that’s disturbing underneath. The play is filled with surprises and notable for its narrative vigor…As individuals, these actors are superb physical comedians; as a foursome, they’re a well-calibrated ensemble…Director Stephen Hamilton keeps the action moving at breakneck speed around the tiny stage…Hamilton and his cast ensure that the wacky, tangled narrative stays clear and the dramatic personae are distinct.” Full Review
"Through Yusuf’s difficult and hilarious encounters with other characters, we learn some uncomfortable truths about how people can view immigration...Besides the sharp and inventive script, the chief reason that the show works so well is that the cast works so well together. The actors’ athletic and graceful movements are expertly choreographed and coordinated. The relatively short show moves quickly because of the dynamic performances of all four cast members." Full Review
“An entertaining little gem….A superb cast meticulously helmed by Stephen Hamilton keeps the fast-paced farce moving at a deliciously brisk pace for 75 minutes as madcap indignities are unrelentingly thrust upon Yusuf. The gifted ensemble of four…seamlessly switch roles and accents with comic panache playing broad physical comedy that never becomes dull under Stephen Hamilton’s clever guidance." Full Review
"Though it's ostensibly about racism, and what right-wingers consider 'that failed social experiment: multi-culti-ularism,' 'Angry Young Man' is, instead, a tour-de-force for four skilled performers to strut their stuff in stunning ways. And boy, do they." Full Review
“Director Stephen Hamilton conducts this incredibly nimble cast like a precisely engineered Swiss watch…Thanks to the rapid-fire dialogue and high jinks, the 80-minute Off-Broadway piece moves as though it were a high-speed locomotive…What makes ‘Angry Young Man’ so entertaining is not necessarily the story, but rather the breakneck choreography and antics that are so well executed by this terrific cast. Sometimes, laughter is enough.” Full Review
"Stephen Hamilton directs a politically appropriate play, while making us laugh hard enough that we don't have to think about the connections to our current world if we don't desire to...As an ensemble piece though, the credit really goes to all...The true beauty in 'Angry Young Man' lies in its Marx Brothers brand of comedy: fast-paced, yet at times understated...It isn't seamless, but it's still a joy to watch these versatile actors." Full Review
"Funny...Yet as indignities continue to pile up, it becomes clear that 'Angry Young Man' isn’t sure how it feels about Yusuf or other immigrants like him. The desire for a better life is a constant, but even Yusuf is played broadly...The constant humiliations are mined for cheap laughs as opposed to legitimate pathos...It is not until the final moments that anything like a genuine, human moment occurs...Nonetheless it proves entertaining enough, just topical enough, to remain endearing." Full Review
“It deals...with the hot-button issue of immigration, is conceptually imaginative and cleverly staged, and enjoys the services of four personable young actors. None of these things, though, is a strong enough medicine to cure the greatest ailment afflicting any farce: it's not very funny...The cast is lively, versatile, and technically proficient...The material forces them to strain too hard, which only makes it more uncomfortable to watch their stuff fall flat.” Full Review
"This is comedy at its broadest with Christopher Daftsios their ring leader with every loud noise and obnoxious mugging possible...Did the audience laugh? Yes. Did I understand why? No. I understand the cleverness of it, but this is a serious subject to me, and I am not a fan of broad comedy. The direction by Stephen Hamilton was perfection, with comedic timing that never lost a beat...In the end the show rambled too much, was too confusing, and hard to take." Full Review
"Both entertaining and puzzling...The play veered off into directions that failed to provide a satisfying plot...The play is done in such a clowning, vaudevillian manner that whatever the playwright hoped to communicate is lost...The frivolous comedy is uncomfortable. I suppose I expected a comedy with more serious overtones considering the subject matter. That said, all four actors pull off a very difficult piece, as they seamlessly switch roles and change accents throughout." Full Review
"Playwright Ben Woolf, aided by the hyperactive direction of Stephen Hamilton, gets caught up in so much theatrical shtick that the point of the exercise becomes thoroughly blurred...It's a rangy tale...The finale is notably perplexing. The most distracting element of 'Angry Young Man' is its story theatre approach, which weighs down the action with extra-theatrical gags that aren't that funny...The time is ripe for a really cutting satire on the state of England today, but this isn't it." Full Review
See it if You can open up to just listening to a story rather than the idea of being presented with a "play." Terrific cast, perfect timing, very fun
Don't see it if If you've forgotten what running once felt like, or that a broomstick at one time might have been a sword, a spear or a means of flight.
Also We're told at the top that "the actors will now tell you a story;" thi... Read more Read less
See it if you would like to see a relevant and uniquely staged comedy on immigration
Don't see it if you prefer more serious or composed theatre
See it if You like slap-stick comedy. All 4 characters play the same role it was delightful! I can't see anyone NOT liking this! I want to go again!
Don't see it if you have no imagination what so ever! If you can't see what they are trying to create and you just have no sense of humor.
See it if you like clever staging, creative use of the set and props, and good storytelling.
Don't see it if you don't like clever staging, creative use of the set and props, or good storytelling.
See it if you like comedies
Don't see it if you don't like comedies
See it if You want to be entertain by energetic physical comedy & not be burdened with serious plots of xenophobia and racism. This is a comedy/parody
Don't see it if You are a grouch who hate goofy spoofy method of telling a story lightheartedly but still raise consciousness about a serious subject.
Also Absolutely delightful & entertaining out of the box innovative storyte... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see young actors in a great ensemble production. good entertainment. good way to see up and coming young actors.
Don't see it if you are looking for a long play. this play is from 2006 but the themes are relevant today. if you don't like off or off off broadway shows
See it if Want to see four young actors in a very fast pace tale where the actors all are playing the same character.
Don't see it if If you can't follow a fast paced play
See it if you want to be entertained and challenged at the same time.
Don't see it if you are easily lost within a plot.
See it if You're interested in the plight of immigrants. Want to see a show that is a refreshing take on a very relevant topic.
Don't see it if You want something completely linear and easy to follow. Are not interested in immigration or the current political climate.
See it if you want to see a great cast playing many characters. Bravo to director & actors
Don't see it if you don't want to see a story about the sad and vicious treatment of an immigrant
See it if you like innovation and can appreciate fast paced and zany improv-like acting, and can be patient with some plot confusion!
Don't see it if you want traditional and linear "drama".
Also Give it a try! Needs some editing and reworking to cut some extraneous... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see an entertaining show that deals with a serious matter in a very quirky and " light " way. They 4 actors are quite delightful
Don't see it if You expect a show with a very easy to follow plot. It is ( at times ) confusing and it doesn't help that the actors constantly switch roles
See it if you want a madcap show. The actors switching characters continually can be amusing. The show's air of levity is fun.
Don't see it if don't like mild slapstick humor and campy shows. The foreign accents can wear thin after a while. The plot can be a little hard to follow.
See it if you don't need to see a clear, linear show
Don't see it if you don't like that the four actors switch in and out of each character
See it if you like a show that has one character played by 4 different people besides playing other characters & are interested in an immigrant story.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy slapstick type humor that is confusing and hard to follow with a story that is hard to follow and characters that are boring
See it if You want to support theater regardless of the quality of the material. The cast tried hard to overcome a mediocre script & lackluster songs.
Don't see it if You want to see a show only if your friends in it.
See it if a the mother of one of the actors or the playwright
Don't see it if you aren't related to anyone in the show
See it if you need a good laugh. For fans of physical humor, it doesn't get much better. Some serious issues addressed, but not too directly.
Don't see it if you are looking for a serious drama, lots of costume and staging spectacle. Immigration issues are serious but not here.
See it if Superb acting, very original play where the actors exchange roles rapidly and present the stage at their acting....An intimate theater...
Don't see it if you like to see an amazing acting with a great humor...
See it if You're interested in hilarious, quirky British comedies that address important political issues.
Don't see it if You like straightforward narratives and dislike off-the-wall humor and very minimal budgets.
See it if quick wittiness entertains you, having a Greek chorus type evening floats your boat, you enjoy inanity!
Don't see it if Off the wall types of comedies do not appeal to you or you prefer straightforward acting in your comedies
See it if You want to experience something different w 4 actors interchanging 1 role, can appreciate British humor, like physical humor.
Don't see it if You don't like any of the above. Need a linear show, don't have an open mind, can't see how show us relevant to society's views.
Also I have to say, this show can be a bit dizzying as 4 actors take on var... Read more Read less
See it if only to cheer an admirably versatile, gung-ho troupe juggle acting with moving props & witty sound effects--you're confused but charmed!
Don't see it if you're averse to tiny theaters, minimal set design, following dizzying story line and actors in multiple roles, or lack of plot resolution.
Also It will help to come fully alert and game for dizzying pace--The 39 St... Read more Read less
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