Light Shining in Buckinghamshire

See it if watching a Parliamentary debate on C-SPAN circa 1647 is your idea of compelling drama; you're a Caryl Churchill completist.

Don't see it if you're not up to the challenge of deciphering this repetitive, messy, pretentious historical fiction claptrap disguising itself as relevant.

Also The mid-1600s was an extremely interesting -- and dramatic -- period in British history, and there may be some lessons to be learned relative to today's political movements in the UK and US, but Caryl Churchill and Rachel Chavkin -- two immensely talented & accomplished women of the theatre -- have sucked the dramatic life out of a potentially potent play with this plodding, dull contrivance. If there's any silver lining, perhaps the let-down of this piece will lead us to seek more insight elsewhere about Oliver Cromwell, the Protestant Reformation, the Puritan Movement, et al.... Read more Read less

See it if WEIRD is your thing, because there is PLENTY of WEIRD in this two hour and 45 minute production on a relatively sparse stage.

Don't see it if a WEIRD 2 hour and 45 minute play on a relatively sparse stage that will leave you scratching your head is just not your cup of tea.

Also WTF! I could not stop saying or thinking WTF after sitting (in some of the most UNCOMFORTABLE theater seats in the tri-state area) for 2 hour and 45 minute -watching some and dozing off through other moments - of playwright Caryl Churchill’s Light Shining in Buckinghamshire. WTF was New York Theater Workshop thinking when they decided to do this production. Churchill, known for dramatizing abuses of power, surely created a real water torture of a play whether it was her intention or not. WTF! Set around the year 1646, the play is about protest, about Levellers, Ranters and a moment when England almost reinvented itself. (NOTE: I only discovered these details when I read someone else’s review of the play.) All in all, it was uncomfortable wading through the shenanigans being presented on stage (with microphones in hand), sitting in those uncomfortable theater seats for as long as I was subjected to do so, and wondering when this whole bad nightmare of an experience would end. WTF!!!... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a big Caryl Churchill fan.

Don't see it if You dislike interminably long, wordy shows, or think Chavkin’s work is always genius. There’s only so much a director can do.

See it if you know a great deal about english history and want to hear it read to you verbatim. I love Churchill but this play can be skipped.

Don't see it if it's a deep, unengaging dive into the 15th century; the characters are hardly developed; the sound & titles are unhelpful. Just: why...

See it if you don't mind a show that is confusing and tedious. The historical time period has possibilities but it goes nowhere.

Don't see it if you want theater that has a coherent story line, goes somewhere, is meaningful, is well written and well constructed.

See it if you enjoy cerebral discussion of socio-political issues, Brechtian commentary, and stunningly disperate acting styles

Don't see it if you want an easy night at the theatre.

Also While much of the production plods along due to its dry text, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire contains moments of pure theatrical fire that ignite suddenly and blaze quickly. As period costuming slowly gives way to modern dress as England is torn apart, it becomes impossible to separate the events surrounding the English Civil War from those of our own time, particularly in post-recession America.

The scenic, lighting, and sound design are stunning and, at times, surprising. However, the closed captioning screen center stage doesn't seem to have been thought out in its relation to both the show's design or dramaturgical intentions. A step forward in accessibility, but not in integrated design.... Read more Read less

See it if You love political theatre but have super lukewarm politics

Don't see it if You want something more out of theatre than a stuffy neo-liberal political text

Also Opposing authoritarian capitalism with democratic capitalism is maybe the most boring political perspective on the planet?... Read more Read less

See it if you were the kid in college who took the Social Politics class, did all the extra reading assignments and wrote your own footnotes for fun

Don't see it if you're looking for a cohesive story line, elements like plot, or anything to do with traditional theater are your cup of tea.

Also Despite a fascinating and, for the most part, talented cast, and some intriguing staging by the "downtown darling director" Rachel Chavkin, the script is more an exercise of ideas to be developed rather than a piece of theater. Very disappointing that of all the plays that NYTW and Ms. Chavkin could have collaborated on, they chose this one.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a good working knowledge of British history circa 1650 & want to listen to the historical record staged, word for word at times.

Don't see it if You will have trouble following a play about mid 17th c. British politics - including a long scene of debating & other scenes of preaching.

Also I left after the long first act. The play in total is 2.5 hours with a 15 minute intermission. American audience members are likely to have a very shaky to non-existent knowledge of the time period / politics, which are kind of essential to truly understand the play.... Read more Read less

See it if you like absurd theater and mixed genres, biblical and historical references.

Don't see it if you don't like long, text-heavy plays, heightened language and long political discussions. and have a problem with christ jokes.

See it if You like watching paint dry. Poor acting, plodding pacing, and talk, talk, talk. You had better have knowledge about 17th century English hi

Don't see it if You believe that theater should engage the viewer. 1st act is 90 mins. long. You will need a strong derriere to make it through. Acting is

Also Acting is something out of a high school senior play. Wasted evening and I only stayed for one act.... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays about ideas, you like political history, you believe history is cyclical and not progressively linear.

Don't see it if You prefer short plays, representational realism, and traditional narrative.

Also This play and this production are brilliant. The script, casting, staging, design, and performances all challenge us to reconsider worn theatrical conceits and our complicity in the institutions that insist such conceits are “representative” and “real.” The questions the play and production pose are rarely asked on the stage, and it was gratifying to have occasion to consider the importance and limitations of autonomy, self-determination, and faith. I saw it in previews and it was clear that these artists were still working. That said, it was the best piece of theater I’ve seen this year. It (clearly) isn’t for everyone, but it was very much up my alley and left me thankful that such a piece would be so expertly produced today.... Read more Read less