The New York Times - Recommended
"They're trifles by his later standards...But these five one-acters allow you to see clearly the basic building blocks from which Mr. Ayckbourn constructs his more complex works. And even the silliest of them is steeped in the critical yet compassionate sensibility that is uniquely their creator's...One of the primary joys of ‘Confusions' is watching chameleon performers change identities with wigs and accents, while locations are transformed by the rearrangement of simple pieces of furniture."
Wall Street Journal - Highly Recommended
"'Hero's Welcome' is one of the most poignant dramas that Mr. Ayckbourn has given us…The straightforwardly plotted 'Hero's Welcome' contains none of the virtuoso theatrical prestidigitation that is Mr. Ayckbourn's trademark, but it does make splendidly effective use of two stock types from his rogue's gallery of men…Has there ever been a playwright who directed his own works more skillfully and imaginatively? I doubt it."
The Guardian - Somewhat Recommended
"'Hero's Welcome' feels less sturdily constructed than 'Confusions'–its mysteries are perhaps too easy to solve, some of its characterizations less nuanced than they might be...Ayckbourn directs with a reliance on vivid performances, evocative costumes and cheap furnishings. The actors he has assembled are gutsy and supple. A couple of them are inclined to overplay their parts, but this is clearly done with his approval...Though neither is a major work, each play is absorbing on its own."
CurtainUp - Recommended
"While 'Confusions' ranks in the lower region of Ayckbourn's amazingly large body of work, 'Hero's Welcome' deserves a place in the top tier. Though not without its comic moments, the emphasis this time is on romance — with a true and tender love story interwoven with several youthful love affairs gone wrong…Richard Stacey is believable and touching as the soldier…This mix of sweet and sour makes for a satisfyingly complex several hours of theater."
TheaterMania - Highly Recommended
"As Ayckbourn proves in his tremendous new drama, he's just as wily and incisive now as he was in the early days of his career…The writing blends Ayckbourn's signature style of menacing darkness underneath uproarious situational comedy. It's an excellent, compelling look at human resilience in the face of terror, and the things people are willing to do to make each other both miserable and happy. The performances are top-notch."
TheaterScene.net - Recommended
"Human behavior in all its complexities is dramatically rendered with depth and humor in a boldly theatrical and inventive manner...Ayckbourn is also the director and his staging farcically mines every bit of verbal and physical comedy with slapstick, sight gags and props...The captivating performances by the extremely versatile company matched with the excellent writing makes 'Confusions' thoughtful and very entertaining."
Blogcritics - Highly Recommended
"Hysterical yet thoughtful theater…'Confusions' succeeds on many levels. The actors' comedic timing and moment-to-moment dramatic skill inspired by the director/playwright never lose energy, substance or intention. The artistic design, the order of the plays in the program, the staging, sets and props, as well as the musical interludes between the acts are well balanced and stylistically inspiring. This is a fine production which manifests Ayckbourn's acute vision throughout."
Theatre Is Easy - Recommended
"The five intertwined skits that comprise Ayckbourn's 'Confusions' are by turns hilarious and poignant. Fast-moving and deftly acted, the five-character ensemble whips through a myriad of scenarios...What ensues is not only very funny, but pointedly jabs at gender norms, domestic propriety, and the frustrations of parenting...Although a few sharp barbs about gender and monogamy are exchanged, there are more laughs than insights. Overall, it's a fun piece of theater."
Scribicide - Not Recommended
"[It is] as if Mr. Ayckbourn were accumulating evidence to prove human beings are isolated but never bothered to consider the emotional meaning of that isolation."
Epoch Times - Recommended
"Playwright Alan Ayckbourn is at his best when commenting on social situations, as proven in a delightful revival of his 1974 quintet of one-act comedies, ‘Confusions.' The different stories link together loosely and focus on the idea of being emotionally alone...Ayckbourn guides the different stories with a sure hand, bringing forth the proper emotions and atmosphere for each. Add to this the excellent cast in their multiple roles, and the result is very enjoyable indeed."
Front Row Center - Recommended
"The splendid cast plays many parts...Ayckbourn, with the precision of a brain surgeon, has created a collection of characters whose communication is not communication at all. It is myopic speech-o-fying at its best...If we are smart, we will see ourselves as compatriots of this lot and leave considering our own lives and relationships. If not, we will simply leave the theatre talking about what a clever writer that is Ayckbourn. Which sounds better to you?"
Off Off Online - Highly Recommended
"A masterly series of vignettes in which characters try hard to maintain normalcy and decorum, but when a single truth is revealed through an ill-timed but dramatically funny mishap, a more personal and meaningful internal world is uncovered. The cast of five skillfully play a handful of characters...Ayckbourn also captures how communication is about energy and not necessarily words."
Theatres Leiter Side - Recommended
"Much like watching a Neil Simon comedy of the same era, seeing these comedies about marital dysfunction, adultery, male chauvinism, romantic disappointment, and related subjects—mostly about women getting the short end of the stick—allows us to compare attitudes of those times with ours...Mildly enjoyable as the plays are (the laughs are mainly of the chuckle variety), the chief reason to see them is the marvelous comic versatility of the five-member ensemble."
Bobs Theater Blog - Recommended
"The actors get ample opportunity to demonstrate their superb timing and talent for physical humor…The first two plays run on a bit too long after making their point. The plays that precede and follow intermission are the most entertaining. For me the dry patches were more than compensated by the hilarious moments."
ZEALnyc - Highly Recommended
"This staging loses little in crossing the Atlantic at a distance of four decades, due to the universality of its sharp observations about the human condition...A quintet of highly capable actors play some 20 different roles with panache…The play abounds with intelligent dialog, astute social commentary, and adroitly constructed characters who segue into successive scenes. Yet it never becomes 'too clever by half.'"
Broadway World - Highly Recommended
"It's the stuff that great theatre is made of. The stories in 'Confusions' are timeless snapshots of real life that perfectly capture human foibles. They showcase Ayckbourn's remarkable gift for dialogue and his keen understanding of relationships...The cast captures their roles with complete authenticity. As the five actors play multiple parts, they prove their diverse talents...The show's characters are wonderfully developed, and the company doesn't miss a beat."
