Philadelphia Orphans presents an unsettling picture of a twisted hostage situation where an outsider seizes control of a family drama in this thought-provoking theatrical revival. Two oddball brothers, Phillip and Treat, are bound together by their vulnerable and volatile relationship, while also harboring darker impulses.
When Harold, a mysterious figure with a troubled past, appears at the doorstep, the dynamics within the household shift dramatically. Initially dressed as a victim, he soon asserts his dominance, manipulating both brothers to serve his interests. As the situation unfolds, it becomes clear that Harold's presence is not merely coincidental, but rather a calculated move to exploit the vulnerability of those around him.
The playwright's preoccupation with orphans is palpable, echoing Harold's own traumatic experiences in an orphanage. The parallels between their past traumas are striking, and the brothers' upbringing seems to have contributed to their current state of emotional instability.
The performances by Forbes Masson, Chris Walley, and Fred Woodley Evans are undeniably captivating, imbuing the characters with depth and nuance despite the bizarre circumstances. As Treat's character is pushed towards a life of crime, Phillip's vulnerability becomes increasingly evident, highlighting the destructive power of manipulation.
However, the play stumbles in its execution, struggling to balance tension and symbolism with an overly complex setup that fails to provide sufficient closure on several fronts. The author's handling of bigotry also raises questions without providing satisfactory answers, leaving some viewers feeling frustrated by the lack of resolution.
Despite these limitations, Philadelphia Orphans remains a compelling and unsettling drama that masterfully explores the darker corners of human nature. The talented cast brings this peculiar gem of a revival to life, drawing audiences into their intense power play, vulnerability, and simmering anger.
When Harold, a mysterious figure with a troubled past, appears at the doorstep, the dynamics within the household shift dramatically. Initially dressed as a victim, he soon asserts his dominance, manipulating both brothers to serve his interests. As the situation unfolds, it becomes clear that Harold's presence is not merely coincidental, but rather a calculated move to exploit the vulnerability of those around him.
The playwright's preoccupation with orphans is palpable, echoing Harold's own traumatic experiences in an orphanage. The parallels between their past traumas are striking, and the brothers' upbringing seems to have contributed to their current state of emotional instability.
The performances by Forbes Masson, Chris Walley, and Fred Woodley Evans are undeniably captivating, imbuing the characters with depth and nuance despite the bizarre circumstances. As Treat's character is pushed towards a life of crime, Phillip's vulnerability becomes increasingly evident, highlighting the destructive power of manipulation.
However, the play stumbles in its execution, struggling to balance tension and symbolism with an overly complex setup that fails to provide sufficient closure on several fronts. The author's handling of bigotry also raises questions without providing satisfactory answers, leaving some viewers feeling frustrated by the lack of resolution.
Despite these limitations, Philadelphia Orphans remains a compelling and unsettling drama that masterfully explores the darker corners of human nature. The talented cast brings this peculiar gem of a revival to life, drawing audiences into their intense power play, vulnerability, and simmering anger.
. Anyway, back to "Philadelphia Orphans". I'm still trying to wrap my head around how the playwright handled that ending... it felt like a cop-out, you know? Like, I get that complexity and subtlety are important, but not when it comes at the cost of clear resolution 
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, but some of his scenes felt like they were just there to pad out the runtime. I mean, Chris Walley's character was basically a caricature - I couldn't help but feel like he was just there for dramatic contrast 
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. The cast did an amazing job of bringing those characters to life, even if they didn't quite live up to their full potential 
. Still, 4/5 stars from me... with caveats 
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I mean I'm not surprised he's a manipulative psychopath, but still. The way the playwright explores the trauma of being an orphan is just wow. And the cast? FORBES MASSON IS A GENIUS 
his portrayal of Phillip is so nuanced and heartbreaking. Can't wait to see this play live!!! 
! and i love how it explores that trauma from his past - so deep 
. but omg the cast tho!!! 
, but in a good way...? i need to rewatch it like 3 times already 
. can't wait to see what they do next!!! 
. All in all, it's like they took some messed-up family drama and added a dash of "I'm-a-serial-killer-now", but still, the actors are so talented that you can't help but be drawn into this dark little world 
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. They brought these characters to life in such a way that you couldn't help but feel for 'em, even when they're doing some pretty messed up stuff.
. And that cast? Forget about it, mate! They were phenomenal 
their characters feel so real and flawed, it's like you're watching your own family drama unfold on stage 
still can't recommend this enough 