“To be fair, that staging is faithful to Silverman’s instructions in the script, which emphasize the conventions of noir thrillers... ‘Spain’ is, after all, a play about propaganda, which is most effective when swallowed whole, if only that were possible.”
Read more

“ ‘Spain’ makes a final jolt into modern times that doesn’t quite land, but it’s a commendable swing that shows how propaganda has evolved — and yet, hasn't changed much.”
Read more

“...’Spain’ touches issues of propaganda and artistic integrity in an age of mass media. It’s unfortunate that, with such rich material all around, Silverman has opted to land on the least consequential aspect of this story — personal fulfillment.”
Read more

“Despite their endless temporizing, and the fact that they have walked into this trap with their eyes wide open, Silverman sees her characters as victims… it's putting it mildly that the story of This Spanish Earth's creation, no matter how revised, isn't a suitable vessel for airing the playwright's concerns. There are many worse things than being an unfulfilled writer or filmmaker; a quick look at the newspaper will tell you that.”
Read more

“ ‘Spain’ disappointingly fails as both history lesson and reimagining. It’s the kind of play about real-life events that doesn’t make you want to learn more.”
Read more

"In writing a play about disinformation, Jen Silverman has unaccountably played fast and loose with the facts of the Joris Ivens/Ernest Hemingway propaganda film "The Spanish Earth." While the play’s value is debatable, it does mark an advance for this playwright whose previous plays "The Moors," "The Roommate" and "Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties" seems to get better and better with each new one. It also gives Marin Ireland as Helen a tour de force role that should not be missed."
Read more

“Playwright Jen Silverman does not mean for ‘Spain’ to be a historical play and she has succeded in that...The wonderful and menacing theatricality imposed on the script hides the fact that it is there as a cover-up, hiding that there is nothing of substance in the play itself, only hints of something more meaningful, just don’t look too hard. There’s an ominous feeling in the set and lighting design that anyone could be killed at a moment’s notice, we almost wish someone was as it would ironically add some life to the play.”
Read more

“In the end, film becomes propaganda becomes disinformation becomes becomes irrelevant. I’m not sure I can hold that hope, but I want to.”
Read more