Reviews

یک ماجرای خیلی خیلی خیلی سیاه by Martin McDonagh

Only show reviews with written explanations

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

2.0

I get what McDonagh was trying to do with a treatise on “the West”, colonialism, and the exploitation of Africans. But as a read it was way too strange and just not that entertaining. Normally when McDonagh is writing about something he has a more immediate connection with, there’s an underlying brilliance to his work, here that connection and brilliance was missing. And therefore the level of entertainment was at a zero.

jhamm's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Should’ve been called a very, very, very weird matter instead. The play is good, but a LOT, and I mean a LOT, of weird things happen in it. It may be more comprehensible seeing it performed. I still enjoyed it tho.

themorsecode's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Pretty weak for McDonagh, very slight and too high concept. Jim Broadbent is great (adds a star) and there are laughs, but it's often sub-Tarantino and very messy. Unlike his other plays, can't see this working at all to read on paper but amusing enough to see on stage.

bobbyheddy's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ebunk's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

joshgauthier's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

As with all of McDonagh's work, I need some time (and probably a second reading) to decide more fully how I feel about this play.

Returning to theater after some time with film, A Very Very Very Dark Matter is true McDonagh form while also delivering a surreal, unsettling, and somewhat strange story about colonialism and creativity. Immensely dark, uncomfortable, with rapid dialogue and biting humor, there is no missing McDonagh's form in the work. And in standard fashion, the story embraces some heavy social themes from unexpected angles--more concerned with attention than with taking a stand.

And the themes are not the focus. In truth, there's a lot going on in a relatively short period here, but with a bizarre story, memorable characters, and McDonagh's talent for a storytelling that is very much his own--it's a play that holds your attention and sticks with you after it's done.