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In the Next Room
"A fascinating, funny and evocative play. . . . Ruhl develops the story with the enticing blend of irreverent humor and skewed realism. . . . It's beautiful." -"San Francisco Chronicle"
"[This] breathtakingly inventive addition to Ruhl's singular body of work . . . has the potential to be a modern masterpiece."-"Los Angeles Times"
Sarah Ruhl made her Broadway debut this fall with her latest effervescent comedy: a play about sex, intimacy, and equality, set in the 1880s, when enthusiasm for the electric light bulb gave rise to a handy new instrument to treat female hysteria. The story revolves around the medical office and home of Dr. Givings, who regularly induces "paroxysm" in his once high-strung patient Sabrina, allowing her to happily return to playing piano. Soon, Sabrina falls in love with the doctor's assistant Annie, and also befriends his wife Catherine, who is dealing with her own neurotic misgivings about not being able to breast-feed her baby. With this new work, Ruhl once again uses playful symbolism and lyrical language as she makes seemingly effortless thematic leaps--crafting a play with tremendous critical and audience appeal, in her singular theatrical voice.
Sarah Ruhl's plays include "Dead Man's Cell Phone," "The Clean House" (a Pulitzer Prize finalist), "Passion Play," and "Eurydice," all of which have been widely produced throughout the United States and internationally. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.
"[This] breathtakingly inventive addition to Ruhl's singular body of work . . . has the potential to be a modern masterpiece."-"Los Angeles Times"
Sarah Ruhl made her Broadway debut this fall with her latest effervescent comedy: a play about sex, intimacy, and equality, set in the 1880s, when enthusiasm for the electric light bulb gave rise to a handy new instrument to treat female hysteria. The story revolves around the medical office and home of Dr. Givings, who regularly induces "paroxysm" in his once high-strung patient Sabrina, allowing her to happily return to playing piano. Soon, Sabrina falls in love with the doctor's assistant Annie, and also befriends his wife Catherine, who is dealing with her own neurotic misgivings about not being able to breast-feed her baby. With this new work, Ruhl once again uses playful symbolism and lyrical language as she makes seemingly effortless thematic leaps--crafting a play with tremendous critical and audience appeal, in her singular theatrical voice.
Sarah Ruhl's plays include "Dead Man's Cell Phone," "The Clean House" (a Pulitzer Prize finalist), "Passion Play," and "Eurydice," all of which have been widely produced throughout the United States and internationally. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2010
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About the author
Sarah Ruhl
42 books582 followersSarah Ruhl (born 1974) is an American playwright. She is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award for a distinguished American playwright in mid-career.
Originally, she intended to be a poet. However, after she studied under Paula Vogel at Brown University (A.B., 1997; M.F.A., 2001), she was persuaded to switch to playwriting. Her first play was The Dog Play, written in 1995 for one of Vogel's classes. Her roots in poetry can be seen in the way she uses language in her plays. She also did graduate work at Pembroke College, Oxford.
In September 2006, she received a MacArthur Fellowship. The announcement of that award stated: "Sarah Ruhl, 32, playwright, New York City. Playwright creating vivid and adventurous theatrical works that poignantly juxtapose the mundane aspects of daily life with mythic themes of love and war."
Originally, she intended to be a poet. However, after she studied under Paula Vogel at Brown University (A.B., 1997; M.F.A., 2001), she was persuaded to switch to playwriting. Her first play was The Dog Play, written in 1995 for one of Vogel's classes. Her roots in poetry can be seen in the way she uses language in her plays. She also did graduate work at Pembroke College, Oxford.
In September 2006, she received a MacArthur Fellowship. The announcement of that award stated: "Sarah Ruhl, 32, playwright, New York City. Playwright creating vivid and adventurous theatrical works that poignantly juxtapose the mundane aspects of daily life with mythic themes of love and war."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
August 13, 2018
This play made me realize that reading and reviewing plays is a more difficult proposition than I had imagined. The playwrights I've read and loved—Tom Stoppard, Jen Silverman, Martin McDonagh—all have a wit and lyricism that is easily seen on the page. But there are other playwrights whose skill resides not in any kind of poetic razzle-dazzle, but more in opening up a space onstage for the actors and designers to create something beautiful in their own right.
I think maybe Sarah Ruhl is one of these. When I read In the Next Room, I enjoyed it, found it to be engaging and well-written with the occasional flash of wry intelligence or poetic sensibility, but I suspect this is nothing compared to what a real production could make manifest. Even just Googling performance photos made the play feel alive to me in a way it hadn't before. So while I think this is an excellent play, it's also one I think should be seen and not read. Good luck finding it, though.
I think maybe Sarah Ruhl is one of these. When I read In the Next Room, I enjoyed it, found it to be engaging and well-written with the occasional flash of wry intelligence or poetic sensibility, but I suspect this is nothing compared to what a real production could make manifest. Even just Googling performance photos made the play feel alive to me in a way it hadn't before. So while I think this is an excellent play, it's also one I think should be seen and not read. Good luck finding it, though.
July 14, 2019
This play shows how doctors original believed that women needed to relieve pent up fluids, hence the orgasm.
Dr. Giving's has created a vibrator to help his female patients with their hysteria. Mrs.Daldry becomes his patient and is giving the treatment.
Mrs. Giving's is going through a difficult time as her milk is not sufficient for her child. They bring in a wet nurse Elizabeth who works for the Daldry's.
Annie is an interesting character, she is Mr. Giving's assistant. She performs manual stimulation when needed.
The last of the characters is Leo who is a painter who lived in Italy. He is upset because he lost the women he was seeing.
Dr. Giving's takes him on as a patient and creates an anal vibrator.
Mrs. Giving's is upset when she comes to understand what is going on behind the door. Her and Mrs.Daldry use the vibrator on each other so Mrs. Giving's can understand how it works.
Leo paints Elizabeth picture while she is nursing the baby. When he tells her he is in love with her she slaps him. He then decides to go to Paris alone.
Mrs. Giving's who believes she is in love with Leo is upset he is leaving.
I loved the scenes with Annie and Mrs. Dalary and what they suggested.
In the end, Mrs. Giving's convinces her husband to awaken her passions instead of focusing on his work.
This is a wonderful touching play.
Dr. Giving's has created a vibrator to help his female patients with their hysteria. Mrs.Daldry becomes his patient and is giving the treatment.
Mrs. Giving's is going through a difficult time as her milk is not sufficient for her child. They bring in a wet nurse Elizabeth who works for the Daldry's.
Annie is an interesting character, she is Mr. Giving's assistant. She performs manual stimulation when needed.
The last of the characters is Leo who is a painter who lived in Italy. He is upset because he lost the women he was seeing.
Dr. Giving's takes him on as a patient and creates an anal vibrator.
Mrs. Giving's is upset when she comes to understand what is going on behind the door. Her and Mrs.Daldry use the vibrator on each other so Mrs. Giving's can understand how it works.
Leo paints Elizabeth picture while she is nursing the baby. When he tells her he is in love with her she slaps him. He then decides to go to Paris alone.
Mrs. Giving's who believes she is in love with Leo is upset he is leaving.
I loved the scenes with Annie and Mrs. Dalary and what they suggested.
In the end, Mrs. Giving's convinces her husband to awaken her passions instead of focusing on his work.
This is a wonderful touching play.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2017
Much better to watch than to read
Now that I have read this book, (Kindle edition) and seen the play, I am ready render my thoughts.
In short from: this is a much better play to watch than it is to read. Nowhere in the text is the pointed wit of an Oscar Wilde or the deep sophistication of a Tom Stoppard. The words are simple and as a read it is somewhat limp. As a performance, these problem disappear.
Sarah Ruhl's play takes place in two rooms, sometimes simultaneously. Mostly we are in the front room of the home/office of Dr. and Mrs Givings. The "Next Room" is his medical office. Dr. Giving's practice may include a variety of mostly female medicine as practiced in America, in the 1880's but here we only see him providing one service. He treats mostly women, and on rare occasion men for hysteria.
Note that the word hysteria is from a Greek root meaning uterus.
At this time a new machine, called the vibrator had been introduced for the purpose of treating female hysteria by inducing a paroxysm. There was, in America, at that time no medical notion of a female orgasm.
And so Dr. Givings uses vibrators on women, and one man to relive their medical symptoms. He seems to have the notion that this treatment, improperly applied is onanism (masturbation also a huge evil at this time) however he never connects his treatment with anything sexual. Over time Mrs. Givings tries to understand what is happening in The Next Room and to come to terms with her need for romance and sex.
There is humor here in the form of the women, not realizing just what they are experiencing. There is humor in the "vibrator play" that take place in "the other room". There is an especially humorous moment when the women, confronted with the idea that these paroxysm, can be achieved during married sex and they are horrified! That sex should be pleasurable is not even imaginable.. "my husband is so considerate he only comes into my room when I am nearly asleep and tells me not to look"
At it's core this is a play about the thin line between ignorance and innocence. The women are innocent of their sexuality. One is a lesbian and has no way to understand or cope with this. The possibility of sex as both pleasure and an animal experience has no language among the cast. Dr. Givings seems to be ignorant of what he is doing, although he knows he is making people better. While he has a romantic side he has totally suppressed it in favor of what his machines can do.
Should you get this book?
I am glad that I had read it before going to a production. I liked reading it more, in part, because the live performance, made live the text and I did not have to worry over the occasional missed word. Some do not like a pre-event read because of the spoiler effect.
If you are good at reading a play and seeing the performance in your minds eye. You should enjoy this text.
There is humor here, there is legitimate history and a deep appreciation of humanity.
I had not understood why this was a prize winning play, and then I saw it and now I 'get it".
Likely it was my fault that the text seemed a bland read. If you are a more imaginative reader you may be glad that you read it.
Now that I have read this book, (Kindle edition) and seen the play, I am ready render my thoughts.
In short from: this is a much better play to watch than it is to read. Nowhere in the text is the pointed wit of an Oscar Wilde or the deep sophistication of a Tom Stoppard. The words are simple and as a read it is somewhat limp. As a performance, these problem disappear.
Sarah Ruhl's play takes place in two rooms, sometimes simultaneously. Mostly we are in the front room of the home/office of Dr. and Mrs Givings. The "Next Room" is his medical office. Dr. Giving's practice may include a variety of mostly female medicine as practiced in America, in the 1880's but here we only see him providing one service. He treats mostly women, and on rare occasion men for hysteria.
Note that the word hysteria is from a Greek root meaning uterus.
At this time a new machine, called the vibrator had been introduced for the purpose of treating female hysteria by inducing a paroxysm. There was, in America, at that time no medical notion of a female orgasm.
And so Dr. Givings uses vibrators on women, and one man to relive their medical symptoms. He seems to have the notion that this treatment, improperly applied is onanism (masturbation also a huge evil at this time) however he never connects his treatment with anything sexual. Over time Mrs. Givings tries to understand what is happening in The Next Room and to come to terms with her need for romance and sex.
There is humor here in the form of the women, not realizing just what they are experiencing. There is humor in the "vibrator play" that take place in "the other room". There is an especially humorous moment when the women, confronted with the idea that these paroxysm, can be achieved during married sex and they are horrified! That sex should be pleasurable is not even imaginable.. "my husband is so considerate he only comes into my room when I am nearly asleep and tells me not to look"
At it's core this is a play about the thin line between ignorance and innocence. The women are innocent of their sexuality. One is a lesbian and has no way to understand or cope with this. The possibility of sex as both pleasure and an animal experience has no language among the cast. Dr. Givings seems to be ignorant of what he is doing, although he knows he is making people better. While he has a romantic side he has totally suppressed it in favor of what his machines can do.
Should you get this book?
I am glad that I had read it before going to a production. I liked reading it more, in part, because the live performance, made live the text and I did not have to worry over the occasional missed word. Some do not like a pre-event read because of the spoiler effect.
If you are good at reading a play and seeing the performance in your minds eye. You should enjoy this text.
There is humor here, there is legitimate history and a deep appreciation of humanity.
I had not understood why this was a prize winning play, and then I saw it and now I 'get it".
Likely it was my fault that the text seemed a bland read. If you are a more imaginative reader you may be glad that you read it.
January 21, 2025
Побачила цю п'єсу в прочитаному тут в котрогось з українських користувачів і зацікавилася назвою. Я залишилася неабияк вражена!
Дія відбувається в 1880-х, коли електрика тільки-но стала з'являтися в найбільш прогресивних домах завдяки вірі в Томаса Едісона і його винаходи, всі жіночі проблеми з настроєм, психікою та фізичним здоров'ям називалися істерією та лікувалися оргазмами, а самих оргазмів іще не винайшли в пристойному суспільстві.
П'єса має в собі не тільки комедійні сцени, пов'язані з віднайденням власної сексуальності людьми, які не мають ще лексики, для того щоб описати те, що з ними відбувається, але й драматичні теми, як-от проживання горя від смерті дитини, ревнощі, проблеми подружнього життя.
Я не могла відірватися від читання. Моєю улюбленою героїнею стала Анні, а улюбленою цитатою - навіть не репліка персонажа, а рекомендації щодо режисури постановки:
She has a quiet paroxysm.
Now remember that these are the days before digital pornography. There is no cliché of how women are supposed to orgasm, no idea in their heads of how they are supposed to sound when they climax. Mrs. Daldry’s first orgasms could be very quiet, organic, awkward, primal. Or very clinical. Or embarrassingly natural. But whatever it is, it should not be a cliché, a camp version of how we expect all women sound when they orgasm.
It is simply clear that she has had some kind of release.
Дія відбувається в 1880-х, коли електрика тільки-но стала з'являтися в найбільш прогресивних домах завдяки вірі в Томаса Едісона і його винаходи, всі жіночі проблеми з настроєм, психікою та фізичним здоров'ям називалися істерією та лікувалися оргазмами, а самих оргазмів іще не винайшли в пристойному суспільстві.
П'єса має в собі не тільки комедійні сцени, пов'язані з віднайденням власної сексуальності людьми, які не мають ще лексики, для того щоб описати те, що з ними відбувається, але й драматичні теми, як-от проживання горя від смерті дитини, ревнощі, проблеми подружнього життя.
Я не могла відірватися від читання. Моєю улюбленою героїнею стала Анні, а улюбленою цитатою - навіть не репліка персонажа, а рекомендації щодо режисури постановки:
She has a quiet paroxysm.
Now remember that these are the days before digital pornography. There is no cliché of how women are supposed to orgasm, no idea in their heads of how they are supposed to sound when they climax. Mrs. Daldry’s first orgasms could be very quiet, organic, awkward, primal. Or very clinical. Or embarrassingly natural. But whatever it is, it should not be a cliché, a camp version of how we expect all women sound when they orgasm.
It is simply clear that she has had some kind of release.
March 5, 2022
I’m not sure how to evaluate plays, as I don’t read them often, but I’ll say I truly enjoyed this read, felt like I could see the play in my mind as it happened! Great combo of humor, difficult feelings, humanity.
March 2, 2025
I'm so? In shock??? I finished this only ten minutes ago and have already edited my (lazy) review twice because I'm speechless but still trying to force out words.
This was beautiful!! So funny and interesting and surprisingly VERY romantic. Possibly my favorite ending in any play. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.
"You wish to undress in the garden in December?" is going to stay with me for a long time!!
This was beautiful!! So funny and interesting and surprisingly VERY romantic. Possibly my favorite ending in any play. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.
"You wish to undress in the garden in December?" is going to stay with me for a long time!!
January 24, 2024
I find this play very frustrating for all sorts of reasons – its casual misogyny, its unexamined whiteness, its privileging of certain types of sexual activity over others, its use of the magical negro trope among others – but as a play, especially as a play aimed at (older, whiter) regional theatre audiences, it works very well. And I always find the ending quite moving despite my frustrations.
October 10, 2019
A weird, funny, and surprisingly sweet play.
July 22, 2020
The main reason I read this play now is that I am going to try and make the trip to see it performed at Shepherd University in November.
The play is really interesting, set at the dawn of electricity and during a time when psychology was both early and heavily gender biased. There are too many fascinating theoretical issues at work in the play to do justice to all of them, but some are: gender issues manifested in types of authorities over space, power, and knowledge; racial issues and implicit eugenics (a theoretical framework becoming popular at the time the play is set); clashes between science and 'nature,' science and art, and science and domesticity; repressed same sex desire; (what a modern audeince would identify as) sexual acts performed without sexual desire; questions about parent child relationships and interaction.
Additionally, the play is beautifully written with some parts being touching, some being funny, some thought-provoking.
https://youtu.be/9HhydHiQi-A
The play is really interesting, set at the dawn of electricity and during a time when psychology was both early and heavily gender biased. There are too many fascinating theoretical issues at work in the play to do justice to all of them, but some are: gender issues manifested in types of authorities over space, power, and knowledge; racial issues and implicit eugenics (a theoretical framework becoming popular at the time the play is set); clashes between science and 'nature,' science and art, and science and domesticity; repressed same sex desire; (what a modern audeince would identify as) sexual acts performed without sexual desire; questions about parent child relationships and interaction.
Additionally, the play is beautifully written with some parts being touching, some being funny, some thought-provoking.
https://youtu.be/9HhydHiQi-A
May 22, 2021
talking about this play with my 60 year old professor for bookclub was probably the highlight of my existence lol
June 29, 2020
Oh, oh, ah, oh, ah -- to read a play titled The Vibrator Play, well, that's quite something!
In the 1880s, a handy new tool was invented to treat hysteria in women: the vibrator. By stimulating them to produce a paroxysm, they would, over time, recover from their bouts and various symptoms of hysteria. Dr. Givings treats these hysterical women, and in this play, a one Mrs. Daldry has come in for treatment. His assistant, Annie, sometimes manually stimulates the patients if the electrical stimulation does not work.
Interwoven with this what I might call "primary narrative" are a few other plot lines. The second act opens with the introduction of Leo, a new male patient, an artist being treated for hysteria as well... albeit in a different manner. There's Elizabeth, who breastfeeds Dr. and Mrs. Giving's child. There are romantic infatuations, both straight and queer. There's some piano playing. And a few outrageous moments, wherein Mrs. Daldry and Mrs. Giving discuss their own experiences with the vibrator. They present their findings to Elizabeth, and she tells them it reminds her of a moment of sexual pleasure, of ecstasy--much to their absolute shock and horror!
Things are left somewhat underdeveloped, in parts. But the end is sweet, and a lovely commentary on sexual pleasure, intimacy, and more specifically, women's pleasure and desire. My first more modern play, and it did not dissapoint.
In the 1880s, a handy new tool was invented to treat hysteria in women: the vibrator. By stimulating them to produce a paroxysm, they would, over time, recover from their bouts and various symptoms of hysteria. Dr. Givings treats these hysterical women, and in this play, a one Mrs. Daldry has come in for treatment. His assistant, Annie, sometimes manually stimulates the patients if the electrical stimulation does not work.
Interwoven with this what I might call "primary narrative" are a few other plot lines. The second act opens with the introduction of Leo, a new male patient, an artist being treated for hysteria as well... albeit in a different manner. There's Elizabeth, who breastfeeds Dr. and Mrs. Giving's child. There are romantic infatuations, both straight and queer. There's some piano playing. And a few outrageous moments, wherein Mrs. Daldry and Mrs. Giving discuss their own experiences with the vibrator. They present their findings to Elizabeth, and she tells them it reminds her of a moment of sexual pleasure, of ecstasy--much to their absolute shock and horror!
Things are left somewhat underdeveloped, in parts. But the end is sweet, and a lovely commentary on sexual pleasure, intimacy, and more specifically, women's pleasure and desire. My first more modern play, and it did not dissapoint.
February 8, 2024
Catherine, keep being quiet as a mouse
August 12, 2023
داستان نمایش در ابتدای عصر برق میگذره. زمانی که یه دکتر با استفاده از ویبراتور سعی به درمان زنانی که هیستریا دارن میکنه. هدف درمان؟ خروج مایعاتی که رحم رو اذیت میکنه تا مشکلات روانی زنان حل بشه.
نویسنده اول نمایش نوشته که هرچیزی به نظرتون عجیب و مسخره اومد، عین واقعیته و هر جایی که اتفاقات معمولی و روزمره بودن، تخیل من. و واقعا پذیرفتن باورها و نادونیهای مربوط به بدن زنان و زندگی جنسی زنان که هنوز هم توی جامعه خودمون هم خیلی زیاد دیده میشه، خیلی سخته.
ایده و هدف نمایش عالی بود اما در مقایسه با کاری مثل مونولوگ واژن، کم میاره. با این حال فکر میکنم خوندنش بشدت لازمه.
نویسنده اول نمایش نوشته که هرچیزی به نظرتون عجیب و مسخره اومد، عین واقعیته و هر جایی که اتفاقات معمولی و روزمره بودن، تخیل من. و واقعا پذیرفتن باورها و نادونیهای مربوط به بدن زنان و زندگی جنسی زنان که هنوز هم توی جامعه خودمون هم خیلی زیاد دیده میشه، خیلی سخته.
ایده و هدف نمایش عالی بود اما در مقایسه با کاری مثل مونولوگ واژن، کم میاره. با این حال فکر میکنم خوندنش بشدت لازمه.
February 2, 2024
la he leído para clase y me ha sorprendido lo mucho que la he disfrutado, y eso que normalmente no me gusta leer obras de teatro
September 8, 2016
Sarah Ruhl explores female empowerment and sexuality in the age of the dawn of electricity in the play, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. Based on a true story, Dr. Givings has begun treating women suffering from "hysteria" using a vibrator to bring them to orgasm, thus releasing them from whatever was blocking them from feeling emotion and living full, sexual lives to satisfy their husbands. When Mrs. Givings grows curious about the treatment and longs to experience it for herself, the women in this funny play start on a journey toward self-realization. A fun and insightful play for the open-minded.
August 25, 2019
5 Stars.
Set in late 19th-century doctor's home and office.
Dramatization of a raucous funny solution-- the over-sized electric-powered doctor-applied vibrator--to a age-old sexual problem: Hysteria.
Why is the doctor's wife standing at the door of the other room, her husband's office? What does she realize? What will she do?
After reading this play, I ordered more plays by Sarah Ruhl. This writer has knocked my socks off. I plan to read 2 or 3 in early November,
Set in late 19th-century doctor's home and office.
Dramatization of a raucous funny solution-- the over-sized electric-powered doctor-applied vibrator--to a age-old sexual problem: Hysteria.
Why is the doctor's wife standing at the door of the other room, her husband's office? What does she realize? What will she do?
After reading this play, I ordered more plays by Sarah Ruhl. This writer has knocked my socks off. I plan to read 2 or 3 in early November,
April 1, 2025
Muy chula!!! Se trata la revolución que supuso la electricidad en el tratamiento de la histeria en el XIX. Me encantaría verla representada, qué divertida
No le pongo un 5 porque me ha parecido demasiado naíf en el tratamiento de algunos temas (los celos, por ejemplo. Siento que el enredo amoroso tenía más potencial). No así en otros, como el la lactancia. Hay un momento en la pág. 47, una intervención de Mrs. Givings, que creo que es espectacular: “When I gave birth I remember so clearly, the moment her head was coming out of my body, I thought: why would any rational creature do this twice, knowing what I know now? And then she came out and clambered right on to my breast and tried to eat me, she was so hungry, so hungry it terrified me her hunger. And I thought: is that the first emotion? Hunger? And not hunger for food but wanting to eat other people? Specifically one's mother? And then I thought-isn't it strange, isn't it strange about Jesus? That is to say, about Jesus being a man? For it is women who are eaten— who turn their bodies into food—I gave up my blood-there was so much blood-and I gave up my body—but I couldn't feed her, could not turn my body into food, and she was so hungry”
No le pongo un 5 porque me ha parecido demasiado naíf en el tratamiento de algunos temas (los celos, por ejemplo. Siento que el enredo amoroso tenía más potencial). No así en otros, como el la lactancia. Hay un momento en la pág. 47, una intervención de Mrs. Givings, que creo que es espectacular: “When I gave birth I remember so clearly, the moment her head was coming out of my body, I thought: why would any rational creature do this twice, knowing what I know now? And then she came out and clambered right on to my breast and tried to eat me, she was so hungry, so hungry it terrified me her hunger. And I thought: is that the first emotion? Hunger? And not hunger for food but wanting to eat other people? Specifically one's mother? And then I thought-isn't it strange, isn't it strange about Jesus? That is to say, about Jesus being a man? For it is women who are eaten— who turn their bodies into food—I gave up my blood-there was so much blood-and I gave up my body—but I couldn't feed her, could not turn my body into food, and she was so hungry”
April 18, 2020
This play exceeded all expectations. For a play about female sexuality in 1880s, I was worried it was going to end poorly and sadly. It was empowering, powerful, and just a great glimpse into the female "hysteria". I was interested the entire time and really cared for the characters. It had great writing and diversity, showing a good representation.
"I have loved enough women to know how to paint. If I had loved fewer, I would be an illustrator; if I had loved more, I would be a poet."
"There have been moments of rest. But as it turns out, the earth rests on air, not on water, and the air can feel very - insubstantial - at times. Even though it is holding you up, invisibly."
"I have loved enough women to know how to paint. If I had loved fewer, I would be an illustrator; if I had loved more, I would be a poet."
"There have been moments of rest. But as it turns out, the earth rests on air, not on water, and the air can feel very - insubstantial - at times. Even though it is holding you up, invisibly."
January 24, 2023
3.5/5
I was a big fan of Sarah Ruhl in high school, her Eurydice still holds a special place in my heart. Her style always feels stilted and mechanical in a way that mostly reads as poetic, but here it feels more dry than anything. There are a lot of funny moments, some great character moments, and the ending is beautifully written, but some arcs (especially Leo and Elizabeth) feel surface level. Not every character in a play necessarily needs a traditional arc, but it feels like that was attempted with them in particular
I was a big fan of Sarah Ruhl in high school, her Eurydice still holds a special place in my heart. Her style always feels stilted and mechanical in a way that mostly reads as poetic, but here it feels more dry than anything. There are a lot of funny moments, some great character moments, and the ending is beautifully written, but some arcs (especially Leo and Elizabeth) feel surface level. Not every character in a play necessarily needs a traditional arc, but it feels like that was attempted with them in particular
October 4, 2025
it's like a rerun of a sitcom you're watching on TBS at 2 in the morning in a hotel room because you can't sleep despite having driven all day
if this is where we're at in contemporary theater, i'll be more forgiving the next time someone talks my ear off about how impressive the most recent installment of netflix original programming is
if this is where we're at in contemporary theater, i'll be more forgiving the next time someone talks my ear off about how impressive the most recent installment of netflix original programming is
July 25, 2023
“MRS. GIVINGS:
Mrs. Daldry, did you dream of love from a young age?
MRS. DALDRY: yes.
MRS. GIVINGS: and what did you think it would be like?
MRS. DALDRY: I thought it would be—never wanting for anything. Being surrounded and lifted up. Like resting in water, for eternity.”
Mrs. Daldry, did you dream of love from a young age?
MRS. DALDRY: yes.
MRS. GIVINGS: and what did you think it would be like?
MRS. DALDRY: I thought it would be—never wanting for anything. Being surrounded and lifted up. Like resting in water, for eternity.”
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December 2, 2018Loved!
March 23, 2019
4.8/5 stars, full review to come! This play is everything I wanted but didn’t get while reading The Awakening tbh
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
April 20, 2020
Incredibly witty and perfectly satirical at the subject of female "hysteria" in a way that makes you scoff at how ridiculous society views women's mental and physical behaviour. More plays like this, please.
February 5, 2024
Had to read this for class looooool
July 24, 2024
Baby’s first play since required high school reading :’)
February 19, 2024
lesbians? the sexual repression of women in the 1800s? fire. sarah ruhl ily
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February 25, 2025es un libro d clase no m juzguéis
March 28, 2025
i want to lap up all the fluids in this play for meaning and make it snow on my tongue
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