The Ferryman and Age

[Clare6]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 3:43pm

Hello,

I am thinking of taking my history and theater loving highschool age daughters to The Ferryman on Broadway.   I see age guidance is 16.   Curious why, so I can decide if I am taking them to the show.   The reviews don't seem to give a hint.   Any insight without spoilers would be great...   Thanks!

 

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 3:53pm

Clare6 said: "Hello,

I am thinking of taking my history and theater loving highschool age daughters to The Ferryman on Broadway. I see age guidance is 16. Curious why, so I can decide if I am taking them to the show. The reviews don't seem to give a hint. Any insight without spoilers would be great... Thanks!
"

 

My 14 year old was fine. 

 

Lots of the "F" word (the board will not let me write "****"
As a matter of fact, my daughter told Paddy Considine that this was the most "****s" she'd every heard in a stage show, to which he replied, "You need to see more theatre"
 

There's also a goose, not to be confused with the ducks I mentioned above



Also some sexual tension and some violence, both explicit and implied.

Updated On: 4/14/19 at 03:53 PM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 6:16pm

It should be totally appropriate. Just a ton of f-bombs and some stage violence. Totally fine for teenagers.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 6:27pm

Depends on the kid. While the material is not inappropriate for teens it is an extremely long play. I went last night and the "3 hr 15 min" run-time is in actuality more 3.5 hours. There's a storyline about the IRA that might require some homework before you go. You know your kids best. If you think they can cotton to this sort of extremely large, sprawling Irish family play then go for it. But I did see adults at times ask during intermission "what happened?" and it's not all that easy to follow.

[Skip23]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 7:08pm

Clare6 said: "Hello,

I am thinking of taking my history and theater loving highschool age daughters to The Ferryman on Broadway. I see age guidance is 16. Curious why, so I can decide if I am taking them to the show. The reviews don't seem to give a hint. Any insight without spoilers would be great... Thanks!

 

 

Why this over Constitution, Mockingbird or Ink?

This felt like a too long TV movie. Wait for the video. 

The others are more theatrically interesting, IMHO. 

 


"

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 7:35pm

I have no opinion on the show itself as i havent seen it, but id think you ate missing a huge opportunity by NOTbringing them to Constitution.

[Clare6]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 8:23pm

Thanks so much for all the replies.   This was just what I was looking for...   Much appreciation...

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 8:53pm

I think a lot of people were a bit confused at intermission, including me and the lady I sat next to. I also think they wanted you to be a bit confused. It all came together in act II and III.

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 9:30pm

If they love theater, they will appreciate the breadth of the story and the mixture of humor and regret and just sheer humanity. It was one of the best things I have seen in years.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 4/14/19 at 10:50pm

As mentioned above. in addition to graphic language, some sexual situations language, and violence, there is the length although it did seem to speed by. But if you’d watch The Godfather with them, then I’d think you’ll be okay.

Personally, I think this play is a bit overpraised. Somehow its admirable parts didn’t quite add up to a completely satisfying whole for me. In fact, I’d say I loved it right up until the ending which seemed heavy handed to me. I do think I was fortunate to see it with the Irish/English cast. But it is a front runner for lots of Tony nominations, including best play. Of course, you won’t see any of the nominated acting performances as they’ve already left the play. I do think it could lead to some interesting conversations with your daughters afterwards.