Hindle Wakes

See it if with humor & sharp plot twists shows how young woman explodes social expectations 2 promote female equality in making marital decisions

Don't see it if not subtle; play from the outset set up as a melodrama; still, well-made, well-acted show that fits together like a fine watch

Also SPOILER ALERT: Play is carefully orchestrated 2 show how social conventions on marriage/practicality are followed until the arresting ending which blows this all apart. Initially, we are confronted w/ the event that will animate the entire play: a young man, otherwise engaged 2 a young woman, has a weekend dalliance with another. Social conventions or practicality prevail: His father insists his son marry the weekend woman [convention]. His mother argues for paying off the weekend woman [practicality]. The mother of the weekend woman demands marriage of her daughter as recompense [practicality]. The fiancee insists the young man marry the weekend woman on principled, religious grounds [convention]. Then in a bold Shavian twist, the weekend woman blows up everyone's expectations that she needs to marry the young man. Though written more than 100 years ago, the play's insights on the divergent expectations about men vs. women in sex/marriage feel fresh and relevant to today's discourse.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy first rate revivals of forgotten plays with ideas that are more modern than you would expect.

Don't see it if you don't like romantic comedies where the women call the shots.

See it if you appreciate older, little-seen dramas revitalized for a contemporary audience; appreciate off-Broadway gems; love solid drama and acting.

Don't see it if seeking bells and whistles and flashy forms of entertainment; want something less predictable; dislike plays that can feel "old-fashioned."

Also The Mint Theatre Company’s shockingly-modern-feeling production of the 1910 play Hindle Wakes is a stunningly-executed show. The actors (particularly the young women) are brilliantly funny, witty, and engaging without becoming mere caricatures or “types.” With its feminist undertones and some shockingly “old-fashioned” ideas that are meant to feel that way, the play must have been risqué in its own time (it was written in 1910 but first performed in 1912). But the freshness here is owed to the strong blend of meaningful writing, actors who give their all, and a solid stage-design that puts us into the world of Hindle. During many moments, and after some particularly polarizing lines, the audience gasped, applauded lightly, and reacted in the way the best plays can provoke: we were committed to the story unfolding before us. Ultimately, I’m quite thrilled I worked this play into my schedule during closing day—if it ever makes a return, I highly-recommend it. Mint Theatre is vital work.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a well structured play about morality in a time long past. Some aspects still relevant others offer interesting comparisons.

Don't see it if you do not appreciate dated plays or you want a musical.

See it if you want to see a period piece with strong female characters, and a surprisingly modern take. Terrific ensemble. Well cast! Well directed.

Don't see it if You don't like heightened language. You aren't interested in the morals and reverse standards of the victorian era. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

See it if you like clever "period" pieces, very good acting, highly professional productions, content involving men's and women's roles in society

Don't see it if you dislike plays that are somewhat "dated," have traditional formats and favor plays that are more avant-garde or "cutting edge."

See it if You enjoy period plays. The playwright was ahead of his time in writing this play about morality and woman’s choice.

Don't see it if You have little patience for talk filled shows. Personally I thought this play was very well written!

See it if You like a good old fashioned play with actual characters and plot. True were no surprises but I enjoyed spending time with the compay

Don't see it if You want fancy costumes, glitzy scenery, sex, violence, loud music. This is quiet fun.

See it if You’re up for a lovely production of a surprisingly progressive 1910 situation comedy where women’s wishes & sexual desires trump all.

Don't see it if You dislike period plays; have no patience for plots that unfold; accents; or don’t understand/can’t imagine Edwardian morals and patriarchy

Also The plot of this surprisingly fresh script was probably already old in 1910, but the realistic language and dialogue carried a scandalous punch that's still relevant 108 years later.

Looking at the title’s pun — Hindle is the small mill-town in the play; Wakes refers to the time of a holiday weekend — the ordered patriarchal world of 1910 was waking to the growing reality of women’s self-empowerment and desires, sexual and otherwise — not unlike the current #MeToo moment where women and the global culture are waking to the abuses of that same patriarchy.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of historical dramas and like seeing lost plays that don't quite hold up to today's molds.

Don't see it if you're looking for current theatre topics.

See it if you like an intriguing story with strong characters and 100% fine acting

Don't see it if you don't find drawing-room dramas with comedic tones engaging; you don't enjoy plays from the past

See it if you want to be entertained by a well produced and acted play that had a lot to say in 1912, when it was written.

Don't see it if you don't like old plays and feel you can get better entertainment on TV.

See it if you like older plays. While the subject is 'matter of fact' today, this play must have been heresy in 1912. Great acting, easy to watch.

Don't see it if don't like family dramas. This plays seem tame in today's world.

See it if you enjoy the Mint's usual high standard of acting and production plus a vintage play with a surprising twist.

Don't see it if you only like intense drama and are unable to appreciate the pace and issues of another era.

See it if You want to see a play with a plot, characters, no magic, no profanities, good old-fashioned class conflict with a Lancaster(English)accent.

Don't see it if You like modern drama, that deals with what you think are contemporary issues.

Also Can't believe this work was written in 1912. It's fresh, funny and remarkable resonant. Wonderful characters, great dialogue, and surprising twists of plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself.... Read more Read less

See it if You love to see interesting characters interact in an absorbing and intelligent manner. You like period dramas. You appreciate moral issues.

Don't see it if You want something avant garde. You want a frothy musical

See it if you like mint productions. Timely, current issues, well presented and phenomenally relevant and contemporary writing.

Don't see it if you prefer light, fluffy, musical productions

See it if You like old period pieces (this is from 1912). You can understand fairly thick British accents.

Don't see it if You want something very easy to follow, Modern, or with a large cast.

Also Another great production from The Mint. Very interesting piece about what happens in 2 families when a girl and boy spend a weekend together at a time when that is forbidden and a sin and enough to have her be considered unfit to be married afterwards.

Fine acting, and very enjoyable.

It does require paying attention to the Lancaster accents. It helped me to read the dramaturg’s note in the playbill talking about accents and dialect.

Recommended.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy old plays that were ahead of their time

Don't see it if you're not a fan of older works/

See it if What an unexpected, delightful evening! Extremely entertaining and great acting. Funny and sad at times. Great for women’s libbers. Go see👍

Don't see it if You are not into family dramas and the women’s lib movement.

See it if you want great dramatic writing &acting of an old (1910's) play that's surprisingly relevant today & somehow seems modern despite its age.

Don't see it if you're not into serious drama and are just looking to be "entertained"

See it if Like GBS? Feeling feministic? Then you'll enjoy this amusing, cleverly written, well-packaged moral lesson with decidedly modern overtones.

Don't see it if You favor action over words and ideas. You don't like period pieces.

See it if You enjoy an old-fashioned family drama, you’re interested in a feminist drama from the time of the suffragists

Don't see it if You are not into old and forgotten plays that are definitely worth seeing and enjoyable if not perfect, you dislike traditional narrative

See it if appreciate old school linear dramas that confront issues of sexuality in a prim and proper manner. Another home run for the Mint Theater

Don't see it if Only enjoy fluff and glitzy musicals.

See it if you enjoy excellent well written historical plays that never grow old.

Don't see it if you only like modern theatre