theratcave's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
God honestly near to tears even just from reading it. I think watching it would destroy me. I’m not overreacting either - Bartlett writes here not necessarily with anything crazy or wildly original in theme but phrases thought and conversation in such a perfect way.
I’ve been giving updates as to the first 2 parts, so here I will just comment vaguely on the 3rd and final part. W comes to dine with John and M, but in the end M invites his dad, F, too. They try getting John to make a decision, and the scene builds uncomfortable tension so we’ll that when John does finally burst out at all of them you can tell the emotion and feeling even within seconds. I also had the first feeling that one of these monologues is going to be really good for me. His outburst is so relatable and means so much.
I really hope to see this play one day, no matter how painful it may be.
I’ve been giving updates as to the first 2 parts, so here I will just comment vaguely on the 3rd and final part. W comes to dine with John and M, but in the end M invites his dad, F, too. They try getting John to make a decision, and the scene builds uncomfortable tension so we’ll that when John does finally burst out at all of them you can tell the emotion and feeling even within seconds. I also had the first feeling that one of these monologues is going to be really good for me. His outburst is so relatable and means so much.
I really hope to see this play one day, no matter how painful it may be.
jvs2000's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lennon_delapaz's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Kinda dull, in my opinion said very little, all with charcters that I found uninteresting and boring.
apareruiz's review
3.0
Mike Bartlett poses an interesting question about identity and what it means to label oneself—especially in relation to gender, sexuality, and expression. Through his 4 characters, he captures the optimism of late 2000s/early 2010s queer politics in the codification of certain rights and uptick in queer media.
Does it stand the test of time? It’s something I keep asking myself, in particular with the 2022 West End revival, and wonder what ideas can we consider “complex” and what can be considered “outdated”.
Does it stand the test of time? It’s something I keep asking myself, in particular with the 2022 West End revival, and wonder what ideas can we consider “complex” and what can be considered “outdated”.
megspeirce's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lan_string's review against another edition
3.5
Beautiful concept, characters, and literature, but I detested the structure. It knocked a full 0.5 off for me. It was unnecessarily difficult to follow and the conversation was already tense enough that instead of the structure contributing to the chaos, it detracted from it by virtue of being so confusing.
sci_fi's review
4.0
this was hilarious. sorry bisexual community.
the advertised premise is flashy and attention-grabbing ofc but really the discussion of sexual identity is too rushed to be more than funny, though i know it probably hit harder a decade ago when it was more confusing and taboo. ultimately it was an interesting portrait of one pushover's struggle with conflicting obligations and his inability to choose or determine what he wants rather than what makes people happy with him. how painful how ridiculous how sad.
the advertised premise is flashy and attention-grabbing ofc but really the discussion of sexual identity is too rushed to be more than funny, though i know it probably hit harder a decade ago when it was more confusing and taboo. ultimately it was an interesting portrait of one pushover's struggle with conflicting obligations and his inability to choose or determine what he wants rather than what makes people happy with him. how painful how ridiculous how sad.
kimberlyaustria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
- read this along listening to a play of it
- good and interesting story
- good and interesting story