The Sound and the Fury
Closed 2h 15m
The Sound and the Fury
75%
75%
(5 Ratings)
Positive
80%
Mixed
0%
Negative
20%
Members say
Ambitious, Absorbing, Great acting, Confusing, Resonant

About the Show

Obie Award winning ensemble 'Elevator Repair Service' returns to The Public Theater with their widely praised staging of William Faulkner's modernist masterpiece.

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Critic Reviews (31)

The New York Times
May 21st, 2015

"As mystifying and enlightening as one of those dreams that seem to explain everything for as long as you’re asleep...If you haven’t read 'The Sound and the Fury' (preferably recently), you’re still likely to be at sea. But if you keep your senses wide open, you’ll be aware of patterns forming, the kind that seem to spring up unbidden in your memory...The times portrayed here, after all, never stop happening, not as long as there are readers of Faulkner’s book."
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New York Theatre Guide
May 22nd, 2015

"This is a fun stylized staging of William Faulkner’s novel and the time flies by. The story is told in a fragmented manner as this is how it is remembered by Benjy. Elevator Repair Service has a firm grasp on the novel and the cast truly looks like they’re having a blast acting it out. I look forward to seeing the next work they choose to stage."
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New York Post
May 21st, 2015

"Don’t go in expecting to understand everything, and you won’t be disappointed...The constant sensory overload means that your attention is nearly always engaged...This isn’t a show for everybody — a couple of people walked out at a recent performance — but it rewards open minds."
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Entertainment Weekly
May 21st, 2015

"Between this visual dissonance and soundtrack of wailing and radio static, we get some sense of the blurry turmoil of living as Benjy. 'The Sound and the Fury' is the sort of work that’s tough to take in initially, but that stays with you long after, like a slow drip of oil onto the gears of your mind to ensure they’ll keep spinning."
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Theatermania
May 21st, 2015

"Those not already familiar with the novel may be left totally in the dark by 'The Sound and The Fury.' Luckily, this ERS show is stimulating enough to inspire you to have fun making up your own story, completely divorced from Faulkner's tale. Audiences should beware, however: The show runs two hours and 15 minutes, with no intermission. You might want to use the facilities beforehand. No matter how rapt you become in the world of Faulkner and ERS, a needy bladder will always win the day."
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BroadwayWorld
May 22nd, 2015

"Though the efforts involved are admirable and professional, what is accomplished by presenting Faulkner's words in this manner is unclear. It would be harsh (and cheap) to say that Elevator Repair Service's 'The Sound and The Fury' signifies nothing, but the concept of the piece proves more interesting than watching an evening of its execution."
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CurtainUp
May 17th, 2015

"The actors' performances are so well-timed and compelling that the show moves forward with admirable velocity, devoid of the academic mustiness that often taints staged readings...'The Sound and the Fury' is a model of polished ensemble artistry...not only comprehensible — but entertaining and emotionally satisfying."
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Theatre is Easy
May 22nd, 2015

"Don’t miss this downtown theatre experience if only for the sheer hubris of the effort, an experimental staging...This production saturates its audience with the story, characters and emotions Faulkner evokes. Even though it uses Faulkner’s text verbatim, it is more like swimming in the subconscious, not always a happy and light place, but certainly a fascinating one...I highly recommend the show to anyone interested in unconventional downtown theatre. I can’t wait to see it for a second time, and live inside that world again."
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Trailer

Creative team