The play was very confusing and frustrating. I was lost throughout it. I had no idea what was going on. It just didn’t make any sense. Why did the Martins not realize who they were when they got to the Smiths house? Why did they forget they were married? What was the point of that? Why did the Smiths say they drank the soup and ate the fish and chips, but then say “we’ve had nothing to eat all day”? I was really confused and just didn’t know what to do with myself. I did find some parts funny because it was amusing and confusing. I was laughing throughout the play, but I don’t think I understood why. Maybe it was the awkward silence, the random words, or because everybody else was laughing.
I did not like the play at all because I had no idea what it was about but I found it interesting. I found every little thing to be interesting. I was trying to pay attention to the details because I really wanted to know what was going on. I was paying attention to the clothes and the background. However, I did not notice the sky was painted on the floor. But at the end of the day, I could not find the deep meaning and I do not understand why the play is considered a masterpiece. I did not read the director’s note beforehand and maybe I should have. But even then, I don’t know if it would have made a difference. It would have been just as confusing.
I found myself looking around at the audience many times. I wanted to see other people’s reactions and expressions. The majority of the people I saw had smiles plastered on to their faces throughout the play. Even then, I don’t feel it speaks to a New York audience. I kind of grasped the satire of the play and how the English bourgeois culture is being made fun. The Smiths and Martins found it hilarious when someone on the subway was reading a newspaper and how someone else bent over to tie their shoelaces. I don’t think New Yorkers find any humor in stuff like that because we see it everyday.
The one thing that I absolutely loved about the play was the acting. All the actors were amazing. They did such an amazing job. There was a connection between the audience and the actors. I remember the maid looked directly at me and that made me want to pay more attention. Each actor stared out into the audience and made us feel involved, or at least me. I really enjoyed that aspect of the play, if nothing else.
