Scan barcode
jam_sandwich's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
recriminator's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
olivefranklin's review
2.0
Didn't love the first play at all. Second play was interesting in terms of family dynamics.
idkwhosara's review
3.0
I loved the first play,
I was playing it through my mind as I was reading.
As for the second play, I wasn't thrilled. IT was too confusing towards the ending, I'm not sure I even translated everything the right way.
I was playing it through my mind as I was reading.
As for the second play, I wasn't thrilled. IT was too confusing towards the ending, I'm not sure I even translated everything the right way.
jwstammers's review
4.0
This seems to be a marmite kind of play, you either love it or hate it. Churchill is my second favourite playwright, and she has a knack for making the strange entertaining (for me anyway).
The play is split into two one act plays, both focusing on family. The first involves a mother and father awaiting for their daughter to return home. It's all one scene, but it resets and rewinds to previous moments of dialogue to explore many different scenarios that could play out. The possibilities are endless, and they range from the usual drama of affairs and murder to the absurdity of invading gunmen and intrusion of a large animal. Imagine writing something and constantly thinking, but what if this happened? And what if this happened? And this? What about this?
The second is about a man who was adopted as a child who tries to con a number of elderly women that gave up their son many years ago. The narrative is simplistic, but what makes it stand out is how words are replaced with "blue" or "kettle." At first I still found the dialogue easy to follow, context made it clear what words were being replaced. I had begun to wonder if the purpose was to convey just how little meaning words on their own have. Implying that context and action have a more important role in conveying understanding than the word itself. Although, more and more words are replaced with "blue" and "kettle" until it degrades into variations of "bl" and "ue" and "ket", etc. I have a feeling body language and tone would convey the meaning if one were to see this performed live.
Overall, this is a play that will irritate some and intrigue others. It's by no means Churchill's best work, but it's a fine play in my eyes nonetheless.
The play is split into two one act plays, both focusing on family. The first involves a mother and father awaiting for their daughter to return home. It's all one scene, but it resets and rewinds to previous moments of dialogue to explore many different scenarios that could play out.
The second is about a man who was adopted as a child who tries to con a number of elderly women that gave up their son many years ago. The narrative is simplistic, but what makes it stand out is how words are replaced with "blue" or "kettle." At first I still found the dialogue easy to follow, context made it clear what words were being replaced. I had begun to wonder if the purpose was to convey just how little meaning words on their own have. Implying that context and action have a more important role in conveying understanding than the word itself. Although,
Overall, this is a play that will irritate some and intrigue others. It's by no means Churchill's best work, but it's a fine play in my eyes nonetheless.
riannasimons's review
4.0
April 2020: I read this for the second time recently and it's just as surprising, interesting and funny as it was the last time. This anthology of 'Hearts Desire' and 'Blue Kettle' was my first time reading Churchill and I'm excited to read more! Would recommend for those into absurdist theatre, not for those who usually stick to naturalism (the repetition can be a bit much at times)
More...