And What of the Children...

Content Note: This review includes analysis of character arcs and the ending. There’s a principle I believe all art follows: the right ingredients will always be present, but if the recipe isn’t followed correctly, the final product falls apart. In the case of “And What of the Children”, not only was the recipe poorly executed—the ingredients themselves felt moldy. The result was a deeply uncomfortable and, at times, inappropriate experience. Some reviews have called this play “brave.” But a brave concept is not the same as brave storytelling. What unfolded on stage felt exploitative, not courageous. The handling of trauma—specifically sexual violence—was not only shallow, it bordered on fetishistic. Rather than offering a meaningful ... full review

With a 90-minute time slot I expected a beginning, middle, and end. The show did keep me guessing, though, and I guess it always will because there was no conclusion to the story. ... full review

And What Of The Children...is one of the most gripping, twisted and dark pieces I've ever seen at a Fringe. While heart is present, each moment in this play leaves the viewer falling deeper and deeper into the ill illuminated world the characters in this piece encounter. I was left wanting to save the characters from their fate, with no hope in sight. It truly is something to behold. The actors were remarkable and the writing was impactful and powerful. ... full review

An edgy, psychologically disturbing play that challenges our notions of morality and trauma. An ensemble cast brought to life this story about family, grief and the loss of innocence. Well written and acted; I enjoyed the use of the "greek chorus" to assist in quick set changes while simultaneously propelling the story forward with ominous intensity. Go check it out for yourself!... full review

Overall chilling and deeply uncomfortable, "And What of the Children..." will most likely be unlike anything else you will see at Fringe this year. While the motifs challenge the deepest parts of our erotophobia, we are left with examining the humanistic choices of this family unit, made up of two brothers and a sister who have been establishing new lives while under supervision in a government witness protection program. Although sometimes the choices are surprising and bizarre, there is plenty of heart in these characters. The world that we are transported into the play resembles our own, but is distant enough for us to have a comfortable disassociation from the material while staying close enough to examine our own reality. Unre... full review

Its distinguishing element, which gives space waves game its distinctive personality, is the adoption of an exceedingly basic control system. One that, despite its simplicity, challenges the player’s reflexes and spatial awareness to their ultimate limits.... full review

A well directed, really thought provoking, shocking, and thrillingly acted play. This is a story told with such ferocity that you almost forget to breathe at points, terrified of what may transpire next. Anchored by strong performances, an unrelentingly sharp script and tactful direction this all comes together for a haunting production, that will stay with you long after it bows.... full review

The themes Ryan explores are brutal, dark and hard to comprehend, but all too real. Great dialogue, deftly written and haunting. It's a story that will stick with me for some time. The directing was very well done. The use of an ensemble was excellent and made the scene transitions fly by and with purpose. So often transitions can be laborious as new sets are erected, but the way it was handled in this play was additive, as it should be. Haunting, in fact, which set the next scene up for greater success.... full review

It's rare to encounter a piece of theater whose existence owes itself to an act of courage. One hears much in cafés and bars haunted by creative types about "the bravery of artists," about our admirable willingness to "dig deep," to "go there." This play, in its very inception, gives meaning to such tired niceties. It is a challenge to our fundamental moral biases, savagely undermining any easy conventional judgements about evil, psychopathy, criminality, or the like. At the fearless heart of "And What of the Children" lies an excruciating question: Given comparable conditioning, would you do any differently? Could you do any differently? This does not make for a fun reflection. But if one is willing to "go there," it has the pow... full review

What a beautiful, thought-provoking piece of theatre! As others have mentioned, this might be one of the darkest pieces of theatre that you'll see at Fringe. If you are up for that, absolutely go to see this one. It really is on a mission to tell its story, and it does not stray from that, no matter how dark it gets.... full review