Edgar and Annabel Reviews

Chicago Reader- Recommended

"...In Brad Akin's darkly farcical production for the Poor Theatre, Michael Medford and Abbey Smith, as the rebels, dexterously manage to separate what they say from what they do, as Akin steadily ratchets up the tension. Mouthing cheery banalities even while freaking out, Smith and Medford create a kind of screwball hell."

Chicago Stage Review- Highly Recommended

"...Director Brad Akin keeps the scenes between the actors taut and darkly funny, keeping the momentum relentlessly propulsive and navigating sounds, silences and subtext with panache. Akin has also done a great job of marshaling his resources. Isabel Strauss’s set, while cramped, is suitably homey and contains all the necessary compartments and cupboards to hide both everyday householdtems and the makings for revolution."

Time Out Chicago- Somewhat Recommended

"...The other, unavoidably, is Holcroft's repetitive scene work. Medford and Smith rise to the exaggerated marital affectation we're led to believe will fool the system, but as actors, it doesn't give them much to play with, nor do McLean's exasperated exposition dumps. After a few trips back-and-forth between the home and Deep Throat meetings, Edgar & Annabel shows its full hand long before its 90 minutes are up."

ChicagoCritic- Highly Recommended

"...Brad Akin’s directing keeps events moving quickly, but allows us enough time to bond with the characters. We can’t possible know them well given the dystopian circumstances, but we sympathize with them, and hope for them even knowing they’re doomed politically. I was a little annoyed late in the show when the comedic canned music was used at a time I wanted to process something upsetting, but then I appreciated that these actors had managed to get me emotionally involved. And sure, there’s all sorts of meta-theatre at play here, but it works as something layered on the story, not essential to it. With such a low budget, the company has hardly any resources to manage except feelings, and in a story about characters living deep undercover in an inhumane world, they bring out the pain and occasional joy of the struggle."

Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended

"...Sam Holcroft’s dystopian comic drama is a clever, bold and admirably intelligent play that constantly surprises its audience with its twists and turns. Expertly directed, well-cast and performed with plenty of verve and vision, this excellent, highly entertaining piece of political theatre is well worth seeing."