” . . The contributions of the supporting players here are outstanding. Mei Mac is the most consistently comic performer. She and Mike Goodenough have wonderful synergy in their performances as Corgi and Queen . . , There is an honesty in its intent that is very easy to appreciate A problem arose with two odd jokes in its second half—whether they were offensive, or “politically incorrect,” or simply poorly delivered, I do not know—but the team may do well to avoid such material as it can make the show seem dated.”

“. . . The story follows Frederic Henry (Jude Monk McGowan) and his time fighting as an American soldier in the Italian army including and eventually limited to his relationship with English nurse Catherine Barkley (Laura Atherton) . . . Atherton’s performance is one that confounds me still, even on reflection. Is it some kind of surreptitious genius? Is she supposed to be so annoying? Is it a commentary on women, whether of the period or through Hemingway’s eyes? I would argue not, but its imbalanced nature lends itself to readings of the play (and the novel) as one that is as variegated as its audience . . . “

“. . . The second act is pitched far more cutely, buoyed by the tremendous performance of Paul Curievici as the ridiculous Titorelli. His comedy is apparent, his grin is wide, yet there is a penumbral source of consternation, a creeping dread. The mercurial quality that the production is attempting to achieve seems most concrete in Curievici’s performance, as opposed to the broad strokes of Bennett and Folwell . . . It is an enjoyable, perverse and kinetic production, one held back by its unwillingness to be more perverse.”

” . . . Amaka Okafor is dynamic and effective as the titular character, full of vim and vigour. She is adept at transforming teenage bravado into tenderness, particularly as the show progresses and she settles into the role. It is a mercurial performance, one in which she does wonderful things with material that perhaps isn’t as strong as she is. . . Bird is a story worth telling, and worth watching. Lomas and Okafor are both ones to watch.”