Ballyturk

See it if you enjoy the expressionist, dystopian fables of Enda Walsh, sometimes disarming, often challenging, but always riveting, artful & touching.

Don't see it if you don't think you'll dig an abstract mashup of Beckett's Waiting for Godot, Sartre's No Exit, Emma Donoghue's "Room" & Morecambe and Wise.

See it if You're a fan of Enda Walsh & contemporary Irish theater, enjoy Beckett-like plots, like visceral, physical acting and awe-inspiring endings

Don't see it if You don't like frantic, bizarrely verbal plays, don't like plots that despite insane activity seem to be static, spiritual or focus on death

See it if frenetic is your thing.

Don't see it if you don't like loud '80s music.

See it if you enjoy avant garde theater, where everything is unclear but somehow resonates with you. I don't quite know how to describe this show.

Don't see it if you want a straight forward play with plot and structure, dislike loud music and silliness, nothing is what it seems.

Also A very odd play. Not my favorite genre, but done well for what it is. Certainly not for everyone. Maybe I'm too old to appreciate it.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy abstract plays which veer more towards the absurd. A challenging play w/different layers of meaning. Great acting, staging & sound

Don't see it if you're looking for a play that is easy to interpret. This is an unusual piece of work and will certainly not be for everyone.

See it if you like Beckett, Pinter; absurd, challenging, thought-provoking plays, Enda Walsh & his poetic writing combined with manic action

Don't see it if you want a traditional easy-to-follow story that you don't analyze long after you leave

Also Loved this but many won't.
Was thinking why I loved this and yet was not a fan of Arlington - I think it is because of the almost poetic dialogue.
Loved the actors.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of the Beckett-style

Don't see it if you need concrete plot and concept.

See it if you are a fan of existential theater that makes you think, particularly about life and death.

Don't see it if you are looking for a typical narrative play with a straightforward plot.

See it if You like your theater difficult and thought-provoking to the point of confusion. Also maniacally funny. Or if you are a child of Beckett.

Don't see it if If you favor plots, coherency, logical progression and realism in acting and drama stay away from St. Anne's.

Also At first viewing I was befuddled. Scenes of near incoherence juxtaposed with flashes of lyrical brilliance and masterful manic slapstick satire. A wheat and chaff mash-up that left my head spinning. I can't say I would recommend it to any but the die hard fan of Beckettism but I was still thinking about the play days later. I finally bought the script to try to understand what I had witnessed. Ballyturk, I'll see you in my dreams.... Read more Read less

See it if you're willing to enjoy the sharp dialogue and outstanding acting, and ignore the massive plot derailment after the third character appears

Don't see it if you expect plots to make sense, have a lesson or moral, go anywhere... I really enjoyed Walsh's Arlington and was quite disappointed here

See it if you love Walsh's unique and deeply poetic imagination. Fantastic acting by all three, moments of pure lyricism and masterful direction.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of Walsh's hermetic vision or need a play that explains everything. I am a fan, but I know he can be obtuse at points.

See it if You enjoy Walsh and understand his oeuvre.

Don't see it if You expect to understand what you are watching.

Also Set was quite creative and I was amused by some of the jokes and the musical selections. But I just didn’t get it. I’m also baffled by the sparse audience who jumped up for a standing ovation complete with “Bravos”! Clearly I’m stupid or was watching a completely different play.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to see new cutting-edge exciting work. Huge Enda Walsh fan.

Don't see it if you like more traditional linear plays

Also this was a blast...I was spellbound. The 3 performances were just excellent. Thought -provoking ideas about life, death, venturing outside of your own 'little world" and change and growth . The whole thing was a breath of fresh air.... Read more Read less

See it if for its wild, absurd and nonsensical approach to themes of life and death

Don't see it if you prefer something straightforward rather than abstract and surreal

See it if u want modern, hyper, hectic, confusing but passionate and heartfelt ultra-contemporary theater about dystopian living, community & kinship

Don't see it if u don't like Enda Walsh. Nightmarish violent confusing challenging rapid-fire & ultimately tragic & eloquently beautiful. Not for everyone

See it if You want to see a contemporary, very contemorary, writer following in the footsteps of Beckett and Sartre.

Don't see it if You need everything spoon fed to you.

See it if you are a fan of Enda Walsh, plays with abstract settings, or plays that make you think

Don't see it if you are looking for something straight forward or with a happy ending, or if you can’t understand Irish accents.

Also I was so surprised at how funny it was. Ballyturk took me on an emotional roller coaster. I loved the comedic antics of One and Two that were beautifully executed with the 80s pop soundscape (stellar music choices). The set was stunning when it opened up, and Three’s entrance into the space was something I will never forget. Powerful and gorgeous. It probably could have been a little shorter, but it never felt long. Really glad to have caught this one.... Read more Read less

See it if You like experimental Theater; you like poetic.

Don't see it if You only prosaic Theater, with a clear story; if you don't like enigmatic shows.

Also The acting, staging, sound, and special effects, were all amazing. The show is obviously very deep and personal, but it was way too slow, and the monologues were torturously so. Still, it's nice to experience and support "raw Theater" and art like this, and not only partake of the hyper-palatable shows.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Enda Walsh

Don't see it if you need to understand what was going on the whole time

See it if you appreciate theater at the edges, astonishing acting by actors at the top of their craft, or know and already love Enda Walsh's work

Don't see it if You think it'll be like Once. It is not. Or you need linear and clear narratives.

See it if you like Enda Walsh, delicious spoken word, masterful acting & movement, dynamic duos, existential mystery

Don't see it if you are confused by abstraction, don't want to read between the lines, need an intermission

Also I rushed to see Ballyturk at St Ann's after seeing Disco Pigs at Irish Rep --both by Enda Walsh. Have seen many of Walsh's "strangers in a room" plays now & *suddenly they all make sense*! Thrilling Enda Walsh double-header theatre weekend :)... Read more Read less

See it if you like quirky re-interpretations of Waiting for Godot. The actors are excellent. Good staging!

Don't see it if you're tired of Beckett-esque things...

See it if you like plays with existential themes, crazy high jinx that seem to have no purpose and no cogent plotline other than a death ending.

Don't see it if you want something with a meaty plot, characters who have dimension and a satisfying ending.

See it if You lov phisicalcomedy, if you want to be surprised and if you want to think about deep stuff after the play!

Don't see it if If you are not in the mood for great action!

See it if you like challenging, unconventional theater. If you want to see actors put their all into very physical roles.

Don't see it if you want to sit back and be told a pleasant story. If you don't like to have to think about theater.

Also I saw this a week after I saw Disco Pigs at Irish Rep. If you're a Enda Walsh fan, it's really interesting to see them alongside each other to see the evolution of the playwright's career.

There's something about this play where nothing seems to make sense, yet everything is exactly as it should be.... Read more Read less