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The Homecoming Reviews
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A Pinter play with strong performances Review by: theatergoer, Apr 13, 2008 |
The Homecoming is a difficult show to see. I think you have to be somewhat familar with Harold Pinter's particular way of writing. If makes you think -because nothing is at it seems and everything means something else, or maybe something else again. It is a disturbing, ambiguous and sometimes cruel. It is Pinter. STRONG performances. Definitely worth seeing
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Tourists
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| 2 |
“A MATINEE, A PINTER PLAY……” (from Stephen Sondheim’s Company) Review by: Beth M., Apr 7, 2008 |
The Homecoming
By Beth Mandelbaum
The Homecoming feels like the most difficult show to review than anything I have ever seen!! The Homecoming is not a play that can say that I enjoyed, but it did keep me intrigued, as I eagerly awaited what would happen next in the strange world of Harold Pinter. The adjectives that came to mind after seeing the play were: outrageous, over-the-top, deeply disturbing, ambiguous, dark, amoral, cruel, ... read more heartless, bizarre, perplexing, curious, brutal, and unimaginable. But I must say that I did have some laughs, and honor the playwright and the production, and the stellar cast.
The Homecoming depicts a provocative, powerfully sexually charged and dangerous verbal war zone filled with the unimaginable in terms of man (and woman’s) inhumanity. It is a play which for me seemed to defy credibility, as it would (hopefully) be impossible to find a family that is ever on the attack to such a heightened degree. But perhaps this is part of the point.
I kept thinking, who ARE these people and what really motivates them to do what they do and say what they say? I could determine a few possible reasons, but I so wish that I had had someone to discuss the play with me afterward. The Homecoming is filled with mystery and the unknowable, and perhaps this is what makes it “tick.”
Maybe this kind of play simply doesn't suit my personality. I love plays that touch my heart strings and feel deeply meaningful, whereas this seemed just the opposite. There doesn’t seem to be an ounce of compassion and heart in The Homecoming, (or did I miss something?), which I guess is what makes is unappealing to me, though I have to say that it is "fascinating," but in such an odd way.
Despite all of the heat on the stage, I felt oddly emotionally detached. Everything felt cold and distant. However, perhaps one wouldn't have really wanted to connect with these odd and seemingly depraved characters. Some of the reviewers said that this play would get under your skin as it would remind you of your own lives, but for me this didn’t happen. Not that I or my family is perfect, but I left with a sense of relief that we are reasonably “functional” What a relief!!!
After the curtain call, there was a fund raising pitch to invite the audience to contribute to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. I greatly appreciated what the actor, Michael McKean, said at the end of his speech, that he hoped that after seeing this play that we would all feel so much better about our own families, and of course, everyone laughed, as did I!!!
Everyone in the cast was excellent. Ian McShane, Raul Esparza and Eve Best were fantastic, as were the others. A special and unexpected experience was having the opportunity to talk briefly with Eve Best, who was holding the BC/EFA collections bucket at the exit door that I went through. She is absolutely the nicest person, warm, friendly and gracious, which is a testament to how great an actress she is, because just a short time after her astounding performance as a mysterious and cold sexual predator, she transformed into a person that I was so happy to meet!
I think that now I would like to learn more about Harold Pinter. |
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Possibly My All Time Worst Broadway Experience Review by: Sam, Mar 24, 2008 |
| I'm a veteran theatre goer. After reading the many accolades about this play, I have come to the conclusion that I must be ignorant. There was very little I enjoyed about The Homecoming. The plot was rediculous. The staging was dull. Except for a fine performance by Ian McShane, the acting was uninspiring. Even Eve Best, who I loved in Moon for the Misbegotten, did nothing for me. I'm sorry I wasted money on this show. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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Stay Home And Rent Deadwood...Seriously...Stay Home. Review by: The Reaper, Mar 1, 2008 |
| Ok...here's the deal. I'm pretty open minded. Even when I don't always understand high art I can usually appreciate elements of it. I think Ian McShane is an amzing actor...he's the reason I went to see this show. I wanted to kill myself by intermission, and wished wished that I had by the end. This play is for one type of person. The the-a-tre officianados who lock themselves in a study, and sneer down their nose at the simple people of the ... read more world like you and me who can't grasp the complexity of artists like Pinter, Jackson Pollack, or Macy Gray. A story would be nice. Actors speaking more than three words every five minutes with 12 minute pauses in between would be even better. When I saw the show, the upper eschelon of those who "get" a play like this were mumbling along...reciting lines out loud before the actors even said them and chuckling before the supposed jokes were told. At the end these people don't applaud they shout things like, "here here!" While I sit and suffer and think about what I could have done with the money I just wasted on tickets to this thing. Plays I absolutely loved...(Ausage August County, The Sea Farer, Pillowman, Faith Healer) Just to give you an idea of the Reaper's taste. Honestly, I suppose there is some high art involved here. Some metaphor I didn't get or some stylization I could not appreciate. But If I don't get it, can't grasp it, and regard the play as two hours of my life I can never get back...what was really accomplished? Snooze Fest! If you're having trouble sleeping see this play, it's better than Ambien. I still respect and admire Ian McShane, but as far as I'm concerned, he owes me some money for making me sit through this long slow pompous yawn. The Reaper Has Spoken. Look for my reviews, always honest and completely independent. Watch out for the ones the shows themselves generate... |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 5 |
Upsettingly Disappointing Review by: nnnnn, Mar 1, 2008 |
Very disappointing revival. I love this play. But I was highly disappointed by the lack of investment, particularly, from Raul Esparza. He was playing all tricks (probably from his musical theater background) ... He was playing the quality of "the character" and not embedded in any real hatred or jealousy and envy. All external work which was quite unwatchable. The direction of this slice of life play was also a bit too "in your face" ...... read more. like every new thought was an event, very little subtlety ... well they tried to indicate subtlety as opposed to working off of real subtext.
Thank goodness to McShane & McKean (who play Max and Sam, respectively). Sadly, at times, for McShane who seemed like acting on his own to compensate for Esparza not working off of real, present energy. But McShane was brilliant, nonetheless.
I don't know what everyone is so crazy about. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Weird, Awful, Boring Review by: , Feb 27, 2008 |
| Terrible. Don't go even if the tickets are free. Are the people kidding me who thought it was great. When you tell people it is great you should also write what other shows you have liked so we might have an idea of your taste. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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| 7 |
Not worth it! Review by: MO , Feb 20, 2008 |
| HUGE disappointment. Moves slowly, yet does not even do a thorough job of establishing the plot and building out the characters. I had a very difficult time connecting with anything in the show - this is NOT Broadway material at all. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 8 |
Torture me, please! Review by: Upstater, Feb 16, 2008 |
| If you enjoy torture, please see this show. The story line...is there one? The acting was not the problem. My question is after reading the script why on earth would you want a part? Family dysfunction, yes, humourous, no. I walked out mystified at why anyone would do this show, let alone why anyone would see it. Ian Mcshane and cast - what were you thinking? |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 9 |
ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF IT Review by: NoOne, Feb 13, 2008 |
| If you are not looking for a traditional story line but for witty, twisted, funny play presented by the great cast, go and see it. Dry British humor with british accent- priceless...Enjoyed every minute of it. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 10 |
Smart and witty!! Review by: Jaime, Jan 28, 2008 |
| At face value people might be dissapointed because they advertise this play as a musical. Yes it is quite funny, but at the same time it is quite dark, and dysfuctional. One must read between the lines to see Pinter's true work, and his work is quite remarkable. The cast works so well together, the pauses that people have mention is the tension that has been built up after someone has said something. For close minded people this is not the ... read more show for you, but if you are open to seeing great working and not scared of being chanllenged this is the show for you. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 11 |
HOMECOMING delivers! Review by: frankiePA, Jan 27, 2008 |
Harold Pinter's THE HOMECOMING, a comedy of malice, plays like Osage County with its mouth washed out with soap --- real dialoge without the swearing. Original and provocative I can recommend it strongly.
After the play, I read the critic's quotes posted outside. One proves my contention that we need to dispense with the critics in the press and read only the feedback on sites like this. The critic said that Eve Best's crossing her ... read more legs was the most exotic thing we'll see on Broadway this year. What an awful spoiler! What a stupid thing to write. It sets Ms Best up to deliver the impossible, misdirects the attention and focus of the audience.
Some people were offended by the play. Not me. Some of the startling things that play out center stage are more commonly done in shadows and on the sly. Having them happen up front is shocking; and I think that's the message. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Business Assoc., Seniors, Adults
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| 12 |
Strong Stuff without the Swearing! Review by: RALPHIE, Jan 26, 2008 |
THE HOMECOMING is a finely written, splendedly acted play --the kind of play you want to talk about after seeing it. Ian McShane and Eve Best are very good. McShane is a lot like his character in Deadwood, except for his language and that he doesn't kill anybody here. Eve Best plays a part quite opposite from in Moon for the Misbegotten. Here she's beautiful but quite, rather than plain and talky.
Harold Pinter is known as a lefty (per his ... read more biography) and has written some "overtly political" plays; so you need to know there isn't the slightest trace of political spin in The Homecoming.
Although this play isn't entirely free of bad language -- I think there was maybe 10 swear words -- Pinter knew how to convey ideas without substituting rough language for true writing.
Strongly recommended, but not quite a Must See! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 13 |
NOT as expected! Review by: Socje, Jan 8, 2008 |
| This show was so awful, we left at intermission. After paying full price to see a Broadway play – one with effusive praise in its pre-opening press – I naturally expected to experience something extra-ordinary. What I got was uninspired stage design, sound, and lighting – and talented actors stilted by the direction to recite lines like emotional minimalists. The effect was like watching cartoon-cutouts moving around the stage, releasing their ... read more lines and then waiting – emotionless – to recite their next lines. The only character with any emotion was the father. But his range was one-note: an over-the-top hatefulness with no nuance whatsoever. At no time did any character interact with – or react to – any other character. Perhaps the strangest thing was bizarre pauses between lines. When one actor would finish releasing his or her lines, there would be a lag before another character would begin. The pauses were so awkward and meaningless that at first I thought it was the actors forgetting their lines. But it became clear that it was intentional! Although I believe Pinter penned a work of art worthy of its awards, what I saw was a script made inaccessible in the name of creating “something new.” |
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Don't go
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AWLFUL-slow & crude Review by: Un-happy, Jan 4, 2008 |
| This was a TERRIBLE show! It was extremely slow and crude. Definately NOT a show for anyone traveling from the South. The actors may have been talented, but the audience couldn't get over the actual script/storyline. We left after the ACT 1 & were disappointed. That's comedy???? |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Seniors
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| 15 |
Compelling if far-fetched drama Review by: JW, Jan 2, 2008 |
| I have yet to see "August:Osage County" with its family dysfunction story line, but there's an abundant supply of dysfunction (more akin to depravity), on view in Pinter's "The Homecoming", which I did see. "The Homecoming", although not totally enjoyable, is compelling up to a point. The dialogue for the play's male characters, particularly McShane's family patriarch and Esparza's middle son, is well written and well executed. Still, the play's ... read more focal point is its lone female character, the wife of the family's oldest son, portrayed by Eve Best. Although performed well, the role is simply underwritten. As a result, the play's "shocking" conclusion does not have the impact it would have had, had this character been fleshed out more fully. Marginal recommendation. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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