The Intriguing Engagements of Frances and Meg Cheatham, Ladies Of Society (FringeNYC)
About the show
Part of FringeNYC: Sisters Frances and Meg Cheatham are ready to be married off. But sin, scandal, and secrets threaten to unravel their lives and throw them into a world of disgrace. What's a Victorian debutante to do? More…
Categories: Comedy, Drama, Local. From The Schober Group. Written by Adaire Kamen. Directed by Jose Gamo.
"The Lifetime equivalent of a drawing room play...Thanks to a strong cast, the play remains very watchable even when the plot starts to go off the rails, or when modern cracks appear in the faux-Victorian script…Gamo's direction keeps the play moving at a brisk, urgent pace…The intricate plot could benefit from some finessing, but this robust production and the particularly powerful performances of its cast are likely to keep audiences intrigued." Full Review
“It's an interesting decision to lose the structure of Victorian language, and while it could transport the antiquated ideas of feminine ownership to our modern-day, not-quite-so feminist society, the contrast is instead very abrupt and unexpected...Dyer and Hutchinson-Shaw are captivating as siblings...Hutchinson-Shaw's Frances is cold and shrewd...It's hard to feel sympathy for the sister that wants everything but is willing to get it at the expense of the sister that only wants to be happy.” Full Review
"What seems at first to be a light-hearted comedy of manners in the style of Jane Austen’s 'Sense and Sensibility' soon becomes dramatically dark, in a story filled with pain, thwarted love, and unfulfilled lives...While the script has the makings of a compelling narrative, the current production is in need of more rehearsal time and a less slipshod design...The uneven ensemble was inconsistent in its British accents and noticeably stumbled over several lines." Full Review
See it if you are a fan of Victorian romances, Jane Austen, "Downton Abbey," or anything else that focuses on the manners and mores of wealthy Brits.
Don't see it if you don't enjoy any of the above. I also must confess that although this held my interest, I found the ending a bit abrupt and unsatisfying.
See it if you want to see some fine acting from Ms. Shaw, Ms. Dyer and Mr. Sibley or if you are a fan of Victorian theatre or themes of the period
Don't see it if an inconsistent and long script in need of a workshop will bother you along with some sound design that covered up dialogue at points
See it if Some tender acting, but some terrible accents is enough for you.
Don't see it if An intriguing plot idea ruined by some truly boring and frequently out of period dialogue, set in England for no discernible reason
See it if You want to see some good young actors
Don't see it if You can't sit though 2 hours of uneven and wandering writing.
See it if You enjoy Pride and Prejudice or anything of Jane Austin's ilk.
Don't see it if You LOVE Jane Austin and bad imitations would annoy you.
See it if Fabulous I was entranced throughout the show
Don't see it if You don't like drama
See it if You like an engaging, clever, dramatic storyline. Great acting.
Don't see it if you don't like the Victorian era.
See it if you're interested in several outstanding performances, a whip-smart and ambitious script, and a play with strong statements on femininity.
Don't see it if a roughly two-hour runtime is daunting or you expect period authenticity - that's not the goal here.