See it if You like great staged productions of classic, if depressing, literature
Don't see it if You want anything feel good or pacey
See it if You like Steinbeck
Don't see it if You want to stay engaged for the whole thing
See it if you appreciate history and a dynamic set/stage. The transitions of props and embedded elements were amazing. The singing band were good too
Don't see it if You like shows with high momentum, it took a bit of time to reach a climax or momentous part of the story
See it if You like Steinbeck and ambitious attempts to translate literature into theatre. Underlying pain but beautiful. Wonderful musical interludes.
Don't see it if You want to feel-good or be uplifted by the ending. This is about the human spirit and endeavouring to survive and remaining hopeful.
See it if you haven't read the book and won't read the book.
Don't see it if you have read the book and seen the movie. Not much is added by watching this.
See it if You love a greatly written play that invokes a variety if emotion with an underscore of beautiful quality
Don't see it if you don't like long focused plays about the American dream or don't like topless men
See it if 1. You're a fan of Steinbeck; 2. Desire a creative refresh of the great depression; and 3. Cool technical stage and props(the swimming pool!
Don't see it if 1. Dragging music 'the People' is repeated 50x; 2. Sensitive to nudity; and 3. Are short (your neck will ache if in stalls A-F).
See it if you'd like a complex blend of themes like hope, misery, family, community, and inequality
Don't see it if you don't like a plot line that's too flat - this play has a long series of hardships of many sorts but lacks intensity at any point
"...John Steinbeck’s Depression-era odyssey...is enjoyable for all the wrong reasons."
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"...could have used a fresher text and bolder direction"
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"...atmospheric adaptation, but you long for more tension, more to happen"
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“Its themes remain as relevant and as galling as ever”
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"...this doggedly doleful staging of the Steinbeck classic is a punishing three hours"
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"Cracknell’s production has an enthralling, wordless opening section"
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"Steinbeck’s hymn to human misery and endurance is epic but scrappy on stage"
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"...Cracknell’s stealthily exacting production exerts an iron grip."
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