Dec 30, 2009

Picnic | Critical Overview

Picnic was very popular with theatre critics when it debuted in 1953, with special notice given to the theme of ordinary people living ordinary lives in small town America. Brooks Atkinson, writing for the New York Times, observed that ‘‘Inge has made a rich and fundamental play’’ from these ‘‘commonplace people.’’ Atkinson found the female characters particularly well drawn and praised the way that Hal effortlessly brings all the women to life. Calling Picnic an ‘‘original, honest play with an awareness of people,’’ Atkinson, also noted...