Sandra Oh, Paige Gilbert, Ann Harada & more to star in NA premiere of Lucy Kirkwood's THE WELKIN

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/27/24 at 3:23pm

Sarah Gilbert directing; previews begin May 16

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 3/9/24 at 11:20pm

Did anyone see this in London?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/9/24 at 11:31pm

I did. Hardly remember it except for being annoyed that it took a slot while I was in London and that it was tiresome. It was selling very well before the reviews came out, so I took a chance.  
 

Google reviews of the National production and you’ll see what I mean. 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 3/10/24 at 3:44am

It was okay if a bit overstuffed and with at least one subplot de trop. But there's some good material for a fine cast of actresses 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 12:33pm

Is anyone planning on seeing this? It seems like What Became of Us is selling much better.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 1:51pm

I saw this at the National just before shut down and was bowled over. My favorite new play since Ferryman, and now Stereophonic has taken that place. A BRILLIANT piece for women - I just hope it works with American actors.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 5/16/24 at 10:00am

Previews begin tonight 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 5/16/24 at 10:09am

Updated On: 6/12/24 at 10:09 AM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 6/11/24 at 6:04pm

Has anyone caught this at The Atlantic yet? Recommend?

[Sauja]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 9:54am

Caught this at the Atlantic and loved it.  It's an ensemble cast historical play about a woman accused of murdering a child who is presented to a jury of 12 women who must decide whether she is truly pregnant and should be banished instead of executed. It's anachronistic, including a BIG swing set piece in the second act that will definitely divide response. I expect critical and audience responses to be all over the place, but I found it gutsy, sincere, and thought-provoking.

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 11:22am

I loved it too. Acting as finely calibrated across a large cast as you see here is extremely rare nowadays. Kudos to director Sarah Benson. It's a true ensemble piece, although Sandra Oh, in what is arguably the central performance, is remarkable in her return to the New York stage. The play will not be to all tastes, and it's certainly not an easy night at the theater, but I haven't stopped thinking about it for days. That, to me, is the mark of a great work.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 11:34am

I liked it, as well! It's a bit overstuffed and somewhat overly ambitious, but I'd much rather that than a mindless slog, like most of the things on Broadway right now. Sensational performances all around - and, yes, LOTS to discuss and think about afterwards.

If I had to elevator pitch it, it's like TWELVE ANGRY MEN x WOMEN TALKING x THE CRUCIBLE - and while not as consistently strong as those works, it's rousing nonetheless. Atlantic has been killing it lately. 

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 11:52am

Sandra Oh and Haley Wong are absolutely phenomenal here, as is the rest of the cast. Such a fun high-drama night.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 4:27pm

Thank you Sauja, AC126748, WiCkEDrOcKS and Synecdoche2 for the feedback.  I am so glad that I asked. I have my ticket for next week and really looking forward to it. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 4:29pm

The Welkin opens tonight.

[2]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 6:49pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "I liked it, as well! It's a bit overstuffed and somewhat overly ambitious, but I'd much rather that than a mindless slog, like most of the things on Broadway right now. Sensational performances all around - and, yes, LOTS to discuss and think about afterwards.

If I had to elevator pitch it, it's like TWELVE ANGRY MEN x WOMEN TALKING x THE CRUCIBLE - and while not as consistently strongas those works, it's rousing nonetheless. Atlantic has been killing it lately."

Could not agree more with those comparisons, and what good company to be in as The Welkin certainly holds its own held up against those pieces. My jaw was on the floor by the end!

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 6/12/24 at 10:53pm

Mixed reviews from New York Stage Review, The Observer, and New York Theatre Guide

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 6/13/24 at 1:01am

Vulture

https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-reviews-the-welkin-and-hilma.html

"The Welkin is all muscle — taut and intense and, in Benson’s fascinatingly un-English production, energized not only by its moral indignation but by its sense of humor, and by the specific humanity of each of its large cast of characters."

TheaterMania 

https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-the-welkin-depicts-an-18th-century-jury-of-women_1742725/

Talkin' Broadway

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/ob/06_12_24.html

The Wrap

https://www.thewrap.com/the-welkin-off-broadway-review-sandra-oh-12-angry-women/

"And what a delight it is to see a large ensemble on stage together and a theater company not afraid to give them that space to perform.

“The Welkin” is a two-act play that clocks in at a little over two and a half hours. If that sounds like a trial, it is not. I haven’t laughed this much in the theater since I last saw Cole Escola’s comedy “Oh, Mary!”"

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 6/14/24 at 1:27pm

Critic's Pick in the Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/theater/the-welkin-review-sandra-oh.html

And a mostly positive notice from Helen Shaw:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/06/24/the-welkin-theatre-review

[Melissa25]

Posted: 6/23/24 at 7:23am

This was such a dark roller coaster ride that I really enjoyed. Great cast and direction. Lots of memorable stage pictures.  Have been thinking about it a lot since Wednesday.  Very grateful for The Atlantic.

[raddersons]

Posted: 6/26/24 at 9:28am

Any word of this extending??

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 6/26/24 at 2:53pm

It hasn't sold all that well for the Atlantic.

Unfortunately, the directing isn't great.  She never creates a cohesive tone with the mix of old world and modern which is what was stronger at the National.  It is melodramatic and uneven.  The set at the Atlantic feels cheap and poorly designed - those curtains for one.   There are a few good performances but it has not found itself here in the US with this director, cast or production.

Updated On: 6/26/24 at 02:53 PM

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 6/26/24 at 11:11pm

“It's anachronistic, including a BIG swing set piece in the second act that will definitely divide response.”

Not me expecting an actual big swing set piece and waiting with anticipation all of act 2 for something that never came.

If we’re talking about the same thing, I would definitely say it’s more of a bold choice than a set piece.

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 12:12am

InTheBathroom1 said: "“It's anachronistic, including a BIG swing set piece in the second act that will definitely divide response.”

Not me expecting an actualbig swing set piece and waiting with anticipation all of act 2 for something that never came.

If we’re talking about the same thing, I would definitely say it’s more of a bold choice than a set piece.

"


I have no idea what they’re referring to.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 1:07pm

Sandra Oh said she hopes to stay on stage for a while. I wonder if this is transferring ?