Golden Shield NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
Production Covid-19 Safety ProtocolsShow-Score Member Reviews (112)
See it if You enjoy being absorbed into the story.
Don't see it if You don’t like some of the story being told in the 3rd person by a narrator.
See it if you are interested in civil rights vs internet vs government authority.
Don't see it if can be a bit technical with legal jargon, but is an interestingly told story.
See it if layered funny rich complex touching drama
Don't see it if you need your theatre spoon fed to you
See it if for complicated stories - this 1 includes capitalist corporate greed, communist human rights abuse & tense family relations. Great lighting.
Don't see it if if you like less taxing entertainment at the theater-here there is a lot of dialogue both wonderfully interpreted and humorously punctuated.
See it if You can handle lengthy smart quick driven dialogue that is very absorbing and entertaining. Very thought provoking, with several themes
Don't see it if YOu can't sit and listen to dialogues that require your attention. Or, you have no interest in legal cases, with international implications
See it if you appreciate a great procedural drama, like Asian based drama, like plays, love a well developed show.
Don't see it if You don't like plays, don't like procedural shows, don't like shows in multiple languages, don't like shows with swearing. Read more
See it if You are interested in language, family drama, tech, and/or US/China relations. It spanned a lot of topics and did it well.
Don't see it if People talking over each other as things are getting translated bothers you. You don't like plays that jump around in time. Read more
See it if Intellectual content (Mandarin-English language; law; internet jargon) with heavy dialogue, tightly directed;2.5hrs 1 intermission; the Set!
Don't see it if Uneven writing, act1 more engaging than act2; trying to cover too much, and the core message undermined. Read more
Critic Reviews (12)
"A legal drama, a romance, a story of sibling estrangement, and a cautionary tale about technology and the cost of political activism. 'Golden Shield' is a lot to chew on and somehow it is not filling."
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"Despite the seeming freedom of the internet, censorship and propaganda is proliferating — not just in China but in America as well. And from ethnic cleansing to hate crimes, there have been deadly consequences in both countries. 'Golden Shield' touches on these issues without adequate space to substantively comment on them."
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"As I said, such a corporate-legal-domestic-bicultural-political sandwich would be better unpacked and dramatized in an episodic, visual medium. That’s where clunky, congested dialogue (forced profanity, Mametty bro banter) might be smoothed out, and international locales presented vividly, not just wheeled into the neutral space of taupe perforated walls arranged by designer dots. "
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"The events of 'Golden Shield' take place from 2006 to 2016, which strangely feels like a more innocent time. As our country adjusts its relationship to the increasingly belligerent regime in Beijing, we ought to reserve some scorn for its Stateside accomplices."
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"Golden Shield certainly has its bracing moments, and let's say that King has written a pretty good play that might be better if she decided which to focus on, a justifiable rant about greed and corruption or a look at familial fissures that aren't going to heal. Illuminating both proves something of a struggle."
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"It feels churlish to complain about a playwright being too ambitious. But Anchuli Felicia King doesn’t make it easy to resist the temptation with her new play receiving its American premiere courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club. This convoluted effort interweaving corporate intrigue, legal machinations and family drama becomes further burdened with its explorations of the vagaries of the art of translation."
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Initially difficult to follow, Anchuli Felicia King’s "Golden Shield" settles down by the second act to be a taut legal thriller. The fine cast deals with the legalese and technology jargon as to the manner born. Director May Adrales has done fine work with the actors but has overcomplicated things with all of the doubling nor do the settings by dots entirely help in comprehension as the play moves backwards and forwards over a decade to many locations. This is one play that could probably be improved by another draft to simplify the plot and the context.
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"If there is one lesson though to be taken away from 'Golden Shield,' it’s that we all need to let our armor down and be honest with one another, both in how we behave and what we say."
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