www.londontheatrearchive.co.uk Archive

About Shows Reviews Cast Creative Venues Latest

ARCHIVE REVIEWS

Return to previous page

Light Shining in Buckinghamshire
Cottesloe,NT
(10th Jan 97 - 4th March 97)

Review by Darren Dalglish
11th Jan 97

This historical play by Carol Churchill is set in the 17th century during the period of Oliver Cromwell. It centers on the ‘Levellers’ and ‘Diggers’. The Levellers were a group of people who believed that Parliament should be elected every two years and everyone over 21 should have the write to vote, except servants and women. The Diggers were people who believed that the holy scripture would be best implemented and the problems of poverty and unemployment solved, if the land was shared.

Considering this play covers an important and interesting part of history when Cromwell set about getting rid of Charles I , giving the people more of a say in the country, it disappoints an awful lot.

I think the angle that the writer was aiming at was the hopes and despair of the people and how some saw God as their saviour while others doubted . Frankly this just didn’t work for me, I found the whole play dull and repetitive, particularly the second act which was one the worst pieces of theatre I’ve seen. Mostly this act consisted of people moaning about God or praising him, and with the word ‘God’ being said almost every 30 seconds I was getting just a little uncomfortable, as the play just didn’t seem to be going anywhere significant.

It is difficult sometimes to judge the acting when a play is so poor. No one stood out for me, but this isn’t a surprise because the play lacked the strength , body and dialogue for the actors to really get into.

I won’t be seeing this again!

(Darren Dalglish)

ARCHIVE REVIEWS

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M,
N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, XYZ


Top of page
DISCLAIMER : Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in these pages. We accept no responsibility for any errors.

© Copyright: all rights reserved
Londontheatrearchive.co.uk