War under any circumstances is an immensely bothersome period
to those who are actually in those fighting nations, but what is the aftermath in
the countries who are quarrelling with themselves? The National Theatre’s production
of Caryl Churchill’s 1976 play, ‘Light Shining in Buckinghamshire’ was a
stimulating take on the consequences of the English Civil War, plus the
performances were well represented.
‘Light Shining in Buckinghamshire’ is set throughout the
1640’s; in particular Putney, 1647 where we witness a scrumptious dinner, well
sort of which is being held during the Putney Debates by a collective of
government figures because they are celebrating the end of the English Civil
War. Conversely, what is most poignant is the effect that has caused the
Diggers, Levellers and Ranters, also the understanding of who’ll be able to own
their own property and land again, in addition to this, these groups appear they
are angry that the army, governed by Olivier Cromwell (Daniel Flynn) and
General Ireton (Leo Bill) and the Parliament have taken over the ruling of the country,
displacing the monarchies power. Over the course of the performance, there is
an essence of apprehension as changes of
history is proving too much to bare for those who are trying to live and not
die from malnourishment; for example vagrants, Margaret Brotherton (Ashley
McGuire), Man (Alan Williams) and Hoskins (Adelle Leonce). We see how
agricultural areas have found the strain due to the English Civil War, and the
voice of reason for those struggling is Claxton and Claxton’s wife (Amanda
Lawrence). On the other hand, the show allows us to see the unity of the men
and women who fought so that the soul of England can survive and the legacy
that these people left behind. Obviously
there are problematic situations ahead such as the rebuilding of what has been
destroyed due the war and strife. There
are unsettling circumstances for those who are currently poignant; such as
Woman with baby, who is being accompanied by her sister-in-law; it does give the
impression that is going to be a struggle at this current time. At the finale,
a heavily Drunk man (Alan Williams) makes it clear that that even though the
Civil War has ended, it is only the beginning and that England will have to
start again. Churchill’s narrative is pleasing as we are directed through a
point of British history about those civilians who were not given notoriety;
paradoxically there are factors within the script that lacks intelligibility
which makes it hard for one to fully engage with.
One found the performances by the company of, ‘Light Shining
in Buckinghamshire’ were exceedingly well conveyed and the Community Company
all from SE1 was an interesting choice to include as part of the cast. Joe Cafferty is ample as the working man and
speaker of the people, Claxton; predominantly when he is speaking in front of
those who are residing in the Putney area in which his voice booms throughout
the Lyttleton stage and auditorium. Ann Ogbomo is suitable as Woman with baby;
expressly how poorly and dishevelled she looks and the encounters she will have
to face in a country that needs to remodel itself. The rest of the company were grand too.
Lyndsay Turner’s direction is excellent here as she has made
a revival that transports us to the 17th Century in a nation that
has gone through a Civil War, and it does inform those who have no education in
his areas at all. Es Devlin’s set design
and Soutra Gilmour’s costume designs are wonderful as the two of them have
collaborated with such success as both the set and costumes are masterpieces.
Moreover as these two are at the top of their game within the industry and are
favourites of mine it’s nice to see them working together. Overall, the experience
of, ‘Light Shining in Buckinghamshire’ was a good interpretation of a period of
history, nonetheless, Churchill’s script
is somewhat puzzling at times.
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