The Battles of Richmond Hill

See it if you like dysfuntional family stories...with an Irish accent. Set in a bar at Xmas, 3 generations of a family try to make their way in NY.

Don't see it if you dislike drinking (it's constant) or arguing (also constant). As others noted, this is a traditional piece, w a couple of twists. 2W, 4M.

Also It's tough for me to be objective since I'm rooting for my friend's work. TBORH has a couple of nice devices (particularly the interplay of past and present) and juggles emotional highs-and-lows often. I didn't like the physical fighting scene. Also, the end is drawn out. Still, there were some well-done moments ( especially the daughter demanding money). Even though set in the present, the cast is all-white.... Read more Read less

See it if you have any connection with people experiencing aging issues. Beautifully detailed depiction expressed through humor and humanity.

Don't see it if you have problems seeing bars and drinking simulated on stage.

See it if you enjoy plays set locally with good story references, good bar staging, acted well by the entire cast, and a little acapella singing.

Don't see it if you are bothered by abuse of drugs and alcohol or are tired of family dramas where swearing and flashbacks are used to tell the story.

See it if In the waning days of Irish Queens bar, rather than face her uncertain future, a grandmother clings to ghosts from her past. Divided stage.

Don't see it if Sentimental. Cliches. Stereotypes. Irish/Russian boozy caricatures. Drunken brawl. Only lead's acting is of note. Slight accents. Spit take.

Also "Do not judge your grandmother too harshly; she is, afterall, a mother."... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays about Irish drinking, slice of life type drama

Don't see it if you're looking for something cutting edge or insightful; you don't like stereotypes; drunks are a trigger for you

See it if Dysfunctional Irish family at Christmas with a twist

Don't see it if Irish accents inconsistent. You don’t need to see another Irish drinking play.

See it if you want to see a story that involves an older woman who does not want to come to grips with the fact that she can’t take care of herself

Don't see it if You are hoping for a gritty family drama

Also Just about everything about this play is average. While the cast is very balanced it’s just balanced in an average way. I feel the same way about the set the costumes and the staging. What really lacked was the writing. There is a really gripping and interesting story here but there was way too much fluff at the beginning and the play should’ve ended about eight minutes before it did. There were also two very sentimental moments which should’ve caused the audience to cry but we didn’t because the build was not there to get the reaction it needed... Read more Read less

See it if you want a realistic, compassionate look at alcoholism, drugs and death. The set is so perfect - I wish I could grab a drink there!

Don't see it if you don't care for a well-written story of a family dealing with various addictions.

Also I was very impressed by the detail of the set - from the bar to the jukebox. Story is very good - bring a few tissues if you get teary-eyed.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like plays that look at real life issues in a creative way with an wonderful ensemble of actors to tell the story.

Don't see it if You have a hard time dealing with issues that we all eventually face. There are some heart-breaking issues that you may not want to watch

See it if u'll enjoy a new, but v. traditional character-driven family drama w/ merely adequate acting set in an Irish bar in Richmond Hill,Queens.

Don't see it if you're looking for something cutting edge or insightful. You don't like stereotypes. You can see a plot hole a mile away.

Also The plot & characters in this reminded me a bit of Kennedy's Albany triology novels--complete w/ the characters the drunk sees. (Cue Ironweed.) It's not that this is a bad play--it isn't. It's just that it's all been said before & said better. Maybe I'm too jaded because I've seen a lot of Irish drama & this just isn't among the best.

As for the acting...in isolation all of the characters were fine, but there was just no chemistry. The grandson & grandmother seemed more like a nephew & a dutiful aunt he'd met once or twice a year at family gatherings, rather than a grandson raised by this grandmother. At one point when he collapses into her arms sobbing, the disconnect between the 2 characters is painfully obvious. Moreover, sorry but grandma just didn't seem like a souse.

If they paid the fight choreographer, they should demand a refund.

This sounds too negative. It's okay...but never rises above the level of good community theatre.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Irish comedies complete with a ghost. This was show was funny as well as, at times, a bit heart wrenching.

Don't see it if you don't like comedy/dramas about a family torn apart by drugs.

See it if I wasn't sure to expect, but, it's a great story of love/ hope gained and lost. The Irish accents were good, although one actor seemed to go

Don't see it if In-and-out. A "plot twist" for lack-of-better-term was unclear at first, but, then became apparent. There's really no reason not to see it,

Also Unless you hate the notion of Irish 🍀 and drinking 🍹!

See it if Nice lobby.

Don't see it if If you've ever spent time trying to get a drunk friend to leave a bar,u know just how exciting this play is& how insightful the conversation

See it if you want to see a drama/comedy dealing with real-life issues facing seniors, with a good storyline and great acting.

Don't see it if issues such as alcohol abuse, drugs, violence, dementia bother you.

Also The well-acted show(with sub-plots) touched on problems facing many seniors... Read more Read less

See it if An uncomfortable subject for anyone who has an older relative w/dementia or alcoholism. V well acted at points, & written true to the matter

Don't see it if Lead actress has odd way of never looking fellow actors in the eye-this & a # of other choices left me constantly aware I was watchin a play

See it if If you don’t mind a basically good play with basically good acting.

Don't see it if Your expecting great writing or acting.

See it if you enjoy Irish themes; alcoholism & senior citizen drunks are of interest; you know someone in the cast or like to support indie theatre

Don't see it if alcoholism, drug addiction & barroom brawls are a trigger; a good script & good acting are of prime importance to you; you prefer comedies

Also 90 minutes never felt so long watching this tired drama about aging alcoholics in denial + in a NYC bar called The Dublin Rose.
Very predictable.The topic has been handled much better by others.
Folks drink too much, throw punches, then apologize. Yawn.

The punchlines are mostly tired.
Acting ranges from awkward to "meh."
The ghost of Frank O'Connor has little to do.

The role of the militant grandson Brian is written & directed poorly; for most of the play Brian behaves like an impatient distant relative who is hellbent on putting Sheila in a home. When we discover Sheila raised him, it's odd that we saw no chemistry nor affection until the climax.

Flashbacks with Mary O'Connor [LINDSAY RYAN]: her Catholic schoolgirl capering exists for boring "before & after" exposition. In a conflict scene, where ravaged, drug addicted Mary attacks her parents with a knife, the actress has chops & too bad more moments weren't this riveting.... Read more Read less

See it if This play was all over the place...It goes from comic to dark in seconds. Great set of a Queens bar that has seen better days...90 minutes.

Don't see it if You are triggered by alcoholism, drug addiction or if Irish accents are confusing.

See it if Family drama in small theatre is your idea of spending Friday evening; banal but still the heartwarming plot about lonely people

Don't see it if Can predict every other word that coming from actor's mouth, do not like dramcom, small theatre, will not enjoy another play about Irish

Also First preview, not so many people, but they somehow know each other, so 2-3 Show Score patrons were very silent while awaiting for theatre to be opened, when other guests were kissing and chit chatting about their superplans... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy light comedy taking place in an Irish pub about a woman who has to deal with. Fears of aging.

Don't see it if You like dramas and musicals

See it if It's got one truly standout performance, but everyone here is very good. It plays with time a little and tiptoes up to magical realism.

Don't see it if Senility, aging, and drug/alcohol abuse are all on offer, so avoid if those are trigger points. And some cursing, but you're an adult, yeah?

See it if you are aging, want a voice shared about your fears and dreams, and feel as if you are ready to face the future realistically.

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment that will leave you laughing.

See it if You like “ traditional “ plays ( with an Irish touch ) that deal with drugs, dementia, loneliness, dysfunctional families and alcoholism.

Don't see it if If are looking to be challenged and provoked. This play goes from drama to farce and back without any logic, 90 mins but still too long.

See it if you like to see a very well written, acted and staged family drama where all the characters are well developed and interesting. We loved it!

Don't see it if you don't like drama or you don't like to see plays about getting old or alcoholism.

See it if U enjoy dramas that reflect real life issues about aging but has humor, action, & subplot to make it interesting. You like great acting.

Don't see it if Not for people who have no heart, no patience, or no appreciation of the elderly & their realistic issues of aging. This is for drama fans.

Also This is one of the best plays I have seen in 2019 season. The script is well honed with layers of storylines for each character, with sensible time lapses & not really present characters from the past to tell a story of the life of an Irish woman who drinks, falls into dementia & unresolved angst. It is a universal story & exploration of why people drink & act the way they do. It is not just an Irish story.
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The casting of all the Irish & 1 Russian character are perfect with the right looks
& accents. They are good actors that handled their roles & lines well especially the leading lady who was completely immersed in her complicated role of Sheila shifting constantly from one consciousness to another interacting with so many characters. She is so real.
The gentlemen that played Frank, bartender Sean, & the professor just wowed me for they are so distinct, powerful, & polished that each could steal scenes if not for the even direction.
Good intimate set & staging for poignant play.... Read more Read less