“Murray-Smith’s ‘Switzerland’ is part of a long tradition of writers writing about writers, and with few exceptions, it’s not a good idea. The subject’s actual work almost always puts the ersatz stuff in the shade, and trying to insert a play between a writer and her creation tends to be an exercise in overreach...Fundamental slackness around both reality and motivation is why the play, designed as a clash of wills, feels like a fight with pool noodles. The limpness extends throughout.”
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“‘Far from a tense, edge-of-your-seat thriller with twists that make you question everything that's come before, it is, in fact, the complete opposite: a genial, suspense-free two-hander that aims to surprise but cuts itself off at the pass every time. At least Foster's production is kind of fun, making for a reasonably diverting 80 minutes...Fortunately, the two performances are fun enough to help us overlook the textual shortcomings.”
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“With incisive dialogue, excellent staging, and outstanding performances, the two-hander is an intense thriller that is captivating audiences...There are unexpected twists and turns...The performances by Scott...and Petzold...couldn't be better. They master Murray-Smith's gripping dialogue and the sense of mystery and treachery that looms in the story. Audiences will be mesmerized by the portrayals of their complex characters...A superb play for mystery lovers."
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"Saying much more about what transpires during the tense, intermission-less 90 minutes would be transgressing on Murray-Smith’s fun, fun heightened by Gmoser’s lighting and absolutely maximized by Dan Foster’s on-the-money direction...Whether attendees for whom Highsmith is an as-yet-unacquired taste, the glorious dark humor of Switzerland may be somewhat obscure. But darkly humorous the Hudson Stage Company import is, and, as such, is a great time-killer."
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"Foster guides a stellar cast of two, Scott and Petzold, both portraying unlikeable characters only slightly leavened with ambiguity and wit. In their own ways, they exchange the selfishness driving them to use each other and keeps the audience watching and waiting for one to fall. The wall of lethal weapon collection augments the tension with a hint at a possible death...The ending is sudden and surreal, an expression of love without passion."
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"Joanna Murray-Smith's 'Switzerland' is engrossing in an intellectual way in its discussing of writing and writers. Its revelations about the life of author Patricia Highsmith may or may not be of interest to viewers who have never read her or only know her from the many film versions of her books...However, the drama's third act shift into an entirely different play will be problematic for many audience members."
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“The most enjoyable moments are when we see these characters' walls being broken down, and we get a sense not just of the complexity of these people, but also of the talents of these two actors...What may well be a deliberate acting choice appears completely organic, a total immersion of actor into character...For those who enjoy interpreting a play on their own, ‘Switzerland’ is certainly a show that will make you think.”
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“Anyone with a love for a rousing game of cat and mouse will find themselves well at home...’Switzerland’ brought to mind the classic mystery-comedy ‘Deathtrap’...Perhaps the time is right once again for another in this always welcome genre; one that includes cracking good humor, knowing sophistication, and twists and turns you don’t see coming.”
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