Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"... Throughout much of the play, what's left of the club literally falls apart around its members' ankles, moments here rendered only with sounds on tape. We don't need to see copious amounts of rubble, but we do need a more truthful sense of decay and collapse. In Ackland's world, the end of the building foretells people who are slowly and painfully learning that the reckoning eventually comes."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...This ambitious, intensely populated production (with a slew of cleverly assembled vintage costumes courtesy of designer Kate Murphy) will unquestionably “cook” further the more it is performed. In the meantime, it is worth paying a visit to Rodney Ackland’s very mid-20th century English version of Hell."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Director Sheldon Patinkin and his fellow Gift Theatre ensemble members accepted some significant risks in deciding to stage Rodney Ackland's 1952 drama. Risk one is that it's an obscure, sad script with a troubled past and an absolutely hellish title. Risk two: it runs to more than three hours. Risk three: the cast numbers 21, even with some doubling up on roles, and the Gift space measures, oh, maybe slightly more than a square foot. Even so, Patinkin and company come through nicely."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Configuring a three-hour drama (with one intermission) to the comfort levels of modern audiences may, likewise, seem daunting, but not for nothing does the playbill proclaim "The Gift is an ensemble" (albeit with Michael Patrick Thornton's rendering of lovable hustler Marriner anchoring the empathy from his first entrance). Assisted by period-perfect tech design—special commendation to dialect coach Eva Breneman—the cohesive flow of activity onstage makes the time pass as swiftly and smoothly as the waters of the Thames."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Clocking in at more than three hours, Absolute Hell has a leisurely, slow-burning impact, which, like a novel, deepens after it’s finished. Edith Piaf’s iconic ballad plays only once, but the production’s wistful pangs are so present and touching, you might just think it underscores the whole thing."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"... Directed by Sheldon Patinkin, who marvelously takes us into the hearts and deep into the souls of these colorful and unusual characters, bringing them to life on a cleverly designed set by Ian Zywica ( who sure makes use of this narrow stage area), the hardest thing about this production is the length, over 3 hours with one 15 minute intermission ( and they only have two bathrooms), and yet, it moves quickly, with lots of booze and props ( wow, Rita Thornton truly had her hands full with this one). The music ( why is it in anything post World war II, there is always some Edith Piaf music) and lighting by Scott Pillsbury and the costumes by Kate Murphy all are the icing on the cake."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...It’s a rare treat to see a true ensemble piece with strong character development and intelligent dialogue, and rarer to see one as superb as Absolute Hell. Experienced, enthusiastic actors chew beautiful scenery as they work through an almost-perfect script with the greatest of ease. These are the best nights of theatre. These are the gifts."
