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A review by theratcave
Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
I really enjoyed this play! Wasn’t expecting to have such a good time reading it but it was genuinely funny and had a surprising amount to say about morals and the ever-changing world. The character of Ellie greatly contrasts the likes of Hesione and Ariadne, all stuck up and set in their old-fashioned ways. And the Captain, at first seemingly just as set in his ways, in his old age has seemingly gained an even stronger understanding of the world now he’s seen so much of it, and holds more likeness to the spirits of Ellie than the others, even if they want different things from life.
There’s a good few great conversations between characters, such as that with Ellie and Captain Shotover, which act as interesting reflections of the generation of the early 20th century, but also hold true to now in terms of how often expectations and societal dreams change.
And the irony that in the face of REAL danger, none of it would even matter. Except that it mattered to them. Brilliant.
I saw this show a bit before I started reading it, and it was so badly acted that it was painful to watch! But I picked it up feeling there was more to it than that bad production, and ended up being very pleasantly surprised. Now it’s time to watch a GOOD version of it and let that be the image I have of it.
There’s a good few great conversations between characters, such as that with Ellie and Captain Shotover, which act as interesting reflections of the generation of the early 20th century, but also hold true to now in terms of how often expectations and societal dreams change.
And the irony that in the face of REAL danger, none of it would even matter. Except that it mattered to them. Brilliant.
I saw this show a bit before I started reading it, and it was so badly acted that it was painful to watch! But I picked it up feeling there was more to it than that bad production, and ended up being very pleasantly surprised. Now it’s time to watch a GOOD version of it and let that be the image I have of it.