Reviews
What the Critics are saying
“Read literally, it’s a commentary on woman’s inferior place. A more forgiving interpretation: it’s a complex look at how control squanders romantic love — a cautionary tale against would-be misogynists… Patterson’s interpretation is a worthy contribution to the myriad ways we analyze “The Taming of the Shrew.” Her Katharina speaks flirtatiously at times, but is mostly calm, confident and composed, throwing her critic’s nasty remarks into ridiculous relief.” — Maddie Crum, The Huffington Post (see full review)
“If you appreciate Shakespeare when done properly, you will absolutely love this production. It’s clear that Patterson understands the mechanics of Shakespeare’s language, and has pieced together an ensemble that delivers. Each and every actor delivers their lines with their entire body, resulting in a very physical and high-energy performance.” — Zachary Conner, Theatre Is Easy (see full review)
“New York theater is known for challenging the status quo, and that is what The Queen’s Company is all about— breaking down barriers by creating gender-blind performances of the classics and reaching out to a broader, more diverse community in its perspective on those classics… Because every actor was cast according to how her personality fit the role, not according to gender, the production is an organic ensemble theatrical experience… Every moment in the play was active, honest and alive with brilliance.”— Deborah Anderson, off-off online (see full review)
“The Queen’s Company taps its inner swashbuckler (and farceur) with Sir Patient Fancy, a work by one of the rare female professional playwrights of the 17th century, Aphra Behn…the cast members provide all the energy this show requires.” — Andy Webster, New York Times (see full review)
“The company knows that love and lust don’t come from manhood or femininity, they come from human nature. This liberated spirit and humanist passion puffs Sir Patient Fancy into a giddy pleasure.” – Aaron Grunfeld, New York Theatre Review (see full review)
“Sir Patient Fancy has everything you might expect in a delightful Restoration Comedy, dashing heroes, comely maidens, foolish fops, artful coquettes and a rich old hypochondriac. The fabulous twist here is that all the roles are played by women. This skilled and energetic cast perfectly inhabits this Restoration universe and hilariously brings the play into the present day.” —Lynn Marie Macy, nytheaternow (see full review)
“The audience laughed and laughed to the point of weak gasps. All of us having a wonderful time. Billed as ‘sexy and playful,’ the show delivered on its promise.” — Claire McCurdy, Womanabouttown.com (see full review)
“The Queen’s Company’s well-crafted take on As You Like It is at Walkerspace through May 20.” — Pia Catton, The Wall Street Journal (see full review / preview article)
“Employing a playful attitude and an occasional rock ‘n’ roll beat The Wonder is a lively two and a half hours.” — Ken Jaworowski, The New York Times (see full review)
“This gender-bending romp through Shakespeare’s classic is one of the best productions of the bard I’ve seen this side of the Atlantic.” — Rachel Brody, The British Theatre Guide (see full review)
“The Queen’s Company’s Taming is anything but tame” — Phoebe Hoban, The New York Times (see full review / preview article)
“Never did we have a raunchier or more spirited production of The Taming of the Shrew…this is a remarkable interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy.” — Irene Backalenick, Backstage (see full review)
“Powerful and vigorous yet sensual and sleek, this samurai-style reinvention of Christopher Marlowe’s little performed play achieves the impossible: not only do we agree that all the women make fantastic and brutal warriors, but we wholeheartedly accept and understand the love that grips the king and his male subject enough to erupt in civil war.” — Lindsey Wilson, TalkinBroadway (see full review)
“The Queen’s Company, an all-female troupe, has mounted a fun and frivolous new production of Shakespeare’s mischievous love story…it’s a charming evening: the actresses understand Shakespeare’s language and adroitly put across his jokes, and the director, Rebecca Patterson, insures that there’s a great deal of physical humor.” — The New Yorker
“The Queen’s Company deserves the following it has established. It is refreshing to see a company willing to take risks and committed to its vision…The company is set to take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing this fall. Make plans now, as you don’t want to miss any chance to see these amazing women in action.” — Christopher Byrne, Gay City News (see full review)
“The innovative staging includes a spectacular stylized sea battle that times swordplay to an Indian techno beat…the vitality and promise of this Antony and Cleopatra finds hope in its last fleeting glance of a ghost walk in the shadows. The magic of The Queen’s Company simply can’t be stifled.” — Jeremiah Kipp, Showbiz Weekly
“This madly funny production made me laugh so hard I thought I’d crack’d a rib…If I had my way, The Feign’d Courtesans would have moved uptown and run for at least a year…The good news is The Queen’s Company will be presenting Antony and Cleopatra, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Bearded or barefaced, these ladies act up a storm.” — Terry Teachout, The Washington Post
“Quickly becoming one of the most pleasing Off-Broadway troupes infusing much-needed vitality into the classics…The ensemble of women are each remarkable in their own right, each of them comfortable not only with the verse but also the empty stage. The Queen’s Company never seem to be striving for their effects – in keeping it elegant and spare, they find truth in simplicity and, more to the point, breathtaking specificity.” — Jeremiah Kipp, Matinee Magazine
“It’s fundamentally gratifying to see girls take on meaty roles like the Cardinal or Bosola – or the Duchess for that matter – and perform them with such panache and vigor. Makes quite a case for womanish mankind!” — Alexis Soloski, Time Out New York
“The entire company is refreshing and enormous fun and a great contribution to New York Theatre” — John Heilpern, The New York Observer