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franc's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Damn this nails it
ebunk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My favorite play of all time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Murder
shroudofthesea's review
5.0
an absolute delight to read, but i couldn't recommend seeing the play performed highly enough. if this is the only way you can experience it, though, take it--this play revolutionized the way i see historical fiction in general, with its twisting takes on truth and power and the very nature of narrative-forming.
itmustbemiriam's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
livfass's review
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sherbertwells's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A riff on truth and censorship that ties a 1920 diary to the 2010 Smolensk plane crash, featuring Soviet writer Isaac Babel, NKVD chief Nikolai Yezhov and an enterprising KGB agent. It’s not as good as Guards at the Taj, but Joseph’s trademark interpersonal nuance and literary “breathing room” make this play glorious to stage.
“NIKOLAI: Behold, Young Vladimir: The Black Magic Marker: The most useful tool in all of communism” (59)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
Minor: Cancer, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
One prominent motif involves soup made with human blood and leeches.