 |
 |
Brief Encounter Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
| What to Expect: |
| Acting: |
 |
| Music: |
 |
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
|
|
|
| Recommended For: |
|
Adults: |
 |
|
Seniors: |
 |
|
Romantic Date: |
|
|
Anyone: |
 |
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Stunning! You must see this play. Review by: Jeff, Dec 23, 2010 |
| Very clever direction. This play is the best I've seen in years! Bravo to a great cast. I would see this again. Also enjoyed the music. For those unsure of seeing a play versus musical, this provides both. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
VERY Disappointed Review by: NurseChris, Nov 15, 2010 |
| Being a fan of the movie I was really looking forward to attending. I was so disappointed--the play did not engage me at all. It seemed empty of emotion, lacked chemistry between the two main characters and I really didn't care what happened to them. The set was pedestrian--the type we would have had in grammar or middle school. A guy waving a tree branch with a few leaves on it? Come on! Definitely not worth the money. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
 |
| Production: |
 |
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
Review by: EffTee, Nov 9, 2010 |
| Some nice moments, a few even sublime, but since so many of the songs were sung by the peripheral characters, I found myself getting bored. In addition, not all of the songs fit. Just because they were Noel Coward songs didn't mean they were appropriate. I found it to be "39 Steps" lite, and enjoyed "Steps" much more. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
 |
I saw this show with:
Family
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
Very Clever Review by: LD, Nov 9, 2010 |
Is the play a clever satire of an old movie? Or is it a love-story for all time? You decide- and while you are at it, enjoy one of the cleverest, entertaining almost-musicals on Broadway! I had not seen so many clever techniques since 39 STEPS. Musicians and actors merge- actors use the audience seats as part of the set- actors walk into and out of film!
Try to avoid the mezzanine if you are over 5 foot 5. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
The show you will enjoy Review by: emmgal, Nov 5, 2010 |
| This is one of the best shows I've seen on Broadway in recents years. 90 min you are with actors on stage. Everything was great. Production, acting music, light. Go and see it. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
A true love story Review by: GV Dennis, Oct 2, 2010 |
I am an avid fan of the original movie and went to see this production based on the opening night reviews. It is a beautiful, moving theater experience. The songs and scenic embellishments, which I thought would deter from the production, only enhance it. Some of the well known dialogue (It is too late now to be sensible) is perfectly delivered.
They don't make them like this anymore!
|
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
Beautifully done Review by: Legs, Sep 23, 2010 |
| Palpable emotions, genuine in every way, this uniquely staged production is totally engaging. From the moment you enter Studio 54, you are drawn into the world of Alec and Laura, and then into their love. Noel Coward fans should not miss this, nor should anyone yearning for really well-done theater. Performances are top-notch, music is all Noel Coward, staging is brilliant. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
Brilliant Production! Review by: clanwilson, Sep 17, 2010 |
| I saw "Brief Encounter" at St. Ann's Warehouse last January and was enthralled from start to finish. This is not an "in your face" work; it is filled with subtle nuances that build into great emotion. The integration of clips from the classic film do not interrupt the flow of acting on stage; both work together seamlessly. It really is a brilliant and innovative production. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
Moody, atmospheric play grows on you Review by: IggyCat, Sep 14, 2010 |
| I agree with the two previous reviewers here. As the first, long review points out, you could quibble with this play in that it doesn't have a profound or particularly novel plot, and certainly no big plot twists. Basically, boy meets girl, boy and girl are already married, and they struggle with this challenging dynamic. Yet, the play somehow grows on you, and feels very real and sincere and engaging. The setting and dialogue have kind ... read more of a moody, atmospheric feel to them, there are some innovative staging techniques, and the acting is solid across the board. Overall, I would strongly recommend this play. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
What an Enjoyable evening! Review by: BV, Sep 13, 2010 |
| I saw Brief Encounter on Sunday and loved it. It is real theater! I am sure that Emily Rice's EXCELLENT and VERY CLEVER direction will earn the show at least one Tony Nomination (and maybe win). The actors were very good too, especially the two women playing several parts. I highly recommend the show. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Anyone
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
Coward at his Best Review by: DoctorJoeE, Sep 12, 2010 |
If you're familiar with Noel Coward in general, and "Brief Encounter" in particular, I know what you're thinking: strictly a period piece; the thinnest of plots; a story line that goes nowhere; minimal character development. All true - and yet, Noel Coward took a banal premise, from an unremarkable era between the World Wars, and created something wonderful and hilarious and memorable, as only he could.
In addition, Emma ... read more Rice has put together an exceedingly clever, entertaining adaptation - a sort of mixture of the film and Coward's original stage play, "Still Life" - a combination of dialog, song, and cinema. The 9-person ensemble is a constantly-shifting mix of actors and musicians; most of the musicians have speaking parts, and some actors have instrumental duties; musicians play multiple instruments, actors play multiple roles. The actors use the filmed scenes as backdrops and also interact directly with them; and while walking directly from the stage into a film is no longer a novel or unusual trick, it works well here. This is also a rare chance to hear a collection of wonderful Noel Coward/Stu Barker songs performed live and in context.
As the performance ended today, I stood in Studio 54's entryway and watched the audience leaving: Most of them were in their 70s or older, which to me suggests that the younger generation is largely ignorant of Noel Coward and his work. That's a great shame, because this is a very entertaining, funny production that anyone, old or young, will enjoy. And for once, there is no pandering to tourists, and no spoon feeding of messages (audience members must decide for themselves, for example, whether Laura and Alec actually consummate their relationship).
The cast is largely the same as the one in London. Hannah Yelland and Tristan Sturrock are excellent as Laura and Alec, but Annette McLaughlin is just as good as the horny waitress, and Joseph Alessi and Dorothy Atkinson are even better, playing half a dozen roles each.
The run is limited (until December), but I'm sure it will be extended if it's successful, and I certainly hope it is. We had a great time, and I wouldn't mind a bit seeing it again. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Anyone
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
|
