My overall impression
A remarkable piece of theater, and one of the best “relationship” plays I’ve ever seen.
Cailin Harrison’s taught script centers on a couple who are both on great career trajectories in New York, until He gets a transfer to London, and she gives up her career to join him. Sounds like a standard story we’ve heard before—but Harrison pours so much detail into the script it’s like we are truly witnessing these peoples lives. And then the ending, well, my friends and I all came out saying, “What a great ending!” (no spoilers:)
Laura Emanuel as the wife gives a heartfelt performance, especially once she breaks the 4th wall and addresses us directly. Andrew Boyle is an absolute wonder as the husband, and a plethora of other characters—it is rare to see an actor so precisely and thoroughly embody so many different personalities with just his voice and being.
And while the script and acting are absolutely superb, the real star here is director Reena Dutt. From the moment you enter the theater you are in the presence of the story (I know that’s a vague tease but, trust me:). Everything about Dutt’s work is meticulous and marvelous, from her staging, to her understanding of the pace and breath of the writing. It is rare that I see a play in which every, single, minute, I am engaged and waiting for the next moment to unfold—which is why I rate WAITLESS a definite MUST SEE.
