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Manhattan Theatre Club has brought this highly praised Royal Court Theatre production of Olivier award-winning playwright Lucy Kirkwood’s dystopian drama to Broadway. After a Fukushima-like disaster has rendered their home uninhabitable, retired nuclear engineers Robin (Ron Cook) and Hazel (Deborah Findlay; Top Girls) have retreated to a cottage on the English coast where they strive to maintain a semblance of normalcy. When they receive a surprise visit from Rose (Francesca Annis), who worked with them at the nuclear plant down the road almost 40 years ago, they are puzzled by the reasons for her visit. Is she there to rekindle an adulterous affair with Robin or does she have a more ominous purpose? Why does the childless Rose express so much interest in their children? All will eventually be revealed but at a pace that was much too glacial for my taste. I found the changes of tone from humor to drama to a dance number and back irritating. The three actors are superb but the relationship of their characters seemed trivial next to the larger theme of their obligation to future generations. If seeing fine British actors in their prime is enough for you, you will enjoy yourself. If you need a spare, tightly-knit, well-integrated piece, you won’t. Miriam Buether (A Doll’s House, Part 2) designed the set and costumes. James Macdonald (Top Girls, Cloud Nine) directed. Running time: one hour 45 minutes; no intermission.
Manhattan Theatre Club has brought this highly praised Royal Court Theatre production of Olivier award-winning playwright Lucy Kirkwood’s dystopian drama to Broadway. After a Fukushima-like disaster has rendered their home uninhabitable, retired nuclear engineers Robin (Ron Cook) and Hazel (Deborah Findlay; Top Girls) have retreated to a cottage on the English coast where they strive to maintain a semblance of normalcy. When they receive a surprise visit from Rose (Francesca Annis), who worked with them at the nuclear plant down the road almost 40 years ago, they are puzzled by the reasons for her visit. Is she there to rekindle an adulterous affair with Robin or does she have a more ominous purpose? Why does the childless Rose express so much interest in their children? All will eventually be revealed but at a pace that was much too glacial for my taste. I found the changes of tone from humor to drama to a dance number and back irritating. The three actors are superb but the relationship of their characters seemed trivial next to the larger theme of their obligation to future generations. If seeing fine British actors in their prime is enough for you, you will enjoy yourself. If you need a spare, tightly-knit, well-integrated piece, you won’t. Miriam Buether (A Doll’s House, Part 2) designed the set and costumes. James Macdonald (Top Girls, Cloud Nine) directed. Running time: one hour 45 minutes; no intermission.
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