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bobaenthusiast's review
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
interesting! this could be something. i don’t know if it’s more something than the game of love and chance. but i like that I know about it
avlain's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ancab's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
nilatti's review against another edition
5.0
An actor gave me this play and said it was his favorite play and he was on a life-mission to produce it.
The first 95% of the text, I felt like, oh, this is an interesting and playable script. Kushner's adaptation is delightful to read aloud. Fine.
The last couple pages, though, definitely pushed it into the category of, WOW. I can't say more without spoiling it (and although I'm usually not one for spoiler alerts, this is a text that would be spoiled too much). Now I'm ready to join him on his quest to produce this thing!
The first 95% of the text, I felt like, oh, this is an interesting and playable script. Kushner's adaptation is delightful to read aloud. Fine.
The last couple pages, though, definitely pushed it into the category of, WOW. I can't say more without spoiling it (and although I'm usually not one for spoiler alerts, this is a text that would be spoiled too much). Now I'm ready to join him on his quest to produce this thing!
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
I like to read beyond my comfort level. The play The Illusion by Tony Kushner, an adaptation of the Pierre Corneille metaplay from 1636 fits the bill. It is deceptively short but requires one's full attention.
Unfortunately for me, I chose to read it while I was sick in bed. The first time I read it, I didn't understand it and I hated it. But, the play is short (sixty or so pages) and my initial reaction irritated me. So today with a clear head, I re-read the play and loved it.
The gist of the play is this: a man goes to a wizard to find the son he disowned decades earlier. The man is old and in need of an heir to wrap up his affairs. The wizard shows him his son and a variety of tragic events. Somewhere in all of that lies the truth. Like the father, I didn't get what the wizard was illustrating the first time I read it. The second time, with a clear head, it was obvious and very funny.
I don't want to give away the ending because it's the perfect conclusion to the play. Get yourself a copy and read it or better yet, maybe you'll be lucky enough to see it performed. I suspect the twist will be more obvious when seen live.
Unfortunately for me, I chose to read it while I was sick in bed. The first time I read it, I didn't understand it and I hated it. But, the play is short (sixty or so pages) and my initial reaction irritated me. So today with a clear head, I re-read the play and loved it.
The gist of the play is this: a man goes to a wizard to find the son he disowned decades earlier. The man is old and in need of an heir to wrap up his affairs. The wizard shows him his son and a variety of tragic events. Somewhere in all of that lies the truth. Like the father, I didn't get what the wizard was illustrating the first time I read it. The second time, with a clear head, it was obvious and very funny.
I don't want to give away the ending because it's the perfect conclusion to the play. Get yourself a copy and read it or better yet, maybe you'll be lucky enough to see it performed. I suspect the twist will be more obvious when seen live.
benj's review
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
corvus_corone's review against another edition
3.0
Now that I've read Tony Kushner's adaptation, I would like to read the original and see how they differ. The play follows a father who has cast out his son, even thought of killing him, who seeks out a magician to give him news of his prodigal offspring. The magician shows Pridamant scenes from his son's life, the same people in the same roles but different names, different situations.
While Pridamant believes his son to be a suffering you man fighting his way through life and love, he is intensely invested in his life and once again meeting him. As soon as Alcandre, the magician, reveals his son is alive, not fighting for his life, but a popular actor and the scenes he has seen, scenes from plays his son has been in, the romance of the lost son is gone. Pridamant becomes disappointed by the reality of the situation versus the illusion. Which I think Kushner to trying to play up.
While Pridamant believes his son to be a suffering you man fighting his way through life and love, he is intensely invested in his life and once again meeting him. As soon as Alcandre, the magician, reveals his son is alive, not fighting for his life, but a popular actor and the scenes he has seen, scenes from plays his son has been in, the romance of the lost son is gone. Pridamant becomes disappointed by the reality of the situation versus the illusion. Which I think Kushner to trying to play up.
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