What I liked
There are very minimalistic directing choices that I felt were very clever and contributed to the caging grip that the house had on both characters. Everything we see only occurs or is referred to within that room so when Padma finally leaves, her absence is very felt.
What I didn't like
The dialogue during the 2nd half of the play felt like it was abruptly shifting between parody and realistic which distracted from the character drama at hand.
Moments like Elizabeth confirming to the audience that her grandmother is old and senile would take me out of the scene while scenes like Padma declaring tearfully that she wants purple pants are both naturally funny and fits the character’s needs during the scene.
My overall impression
Late Sunday Afternoon, Early Sunday Evening is a very positive story about aging and culture that I feel is worth reminding.
This is a story that allows a very accomplished senior, who is seemingly at the end of her adventurous streak, to admit that she can do and see more. There is always more happiness to be found, and while it does come at a certain cost, it’s one that both characters deserve.
