Hope all is well at one of my favourite institutions, the National Theatre, following the resignation of their Chief Executive. It is a great national asset producing many great plays and exploring subjects and issues that are relevant to society today.
Have to admit to being disappointed by “Light Shining in Buckinghamshire” this week, although perhaps allowance needs to made for the fact it was the first preview. The opening scene and staging were outstanding, but the first act was bogged down at the end by lengthy speeches from the Putney Debates during which the cast seemed to be concentrating more on remembering their lines than delivering them.
The second act lost me. One or two funny moments but some odd points being made by characters coming on in modern dress (I assume this was deliberate and not just because their costumes were still being finished backstage!). If the point was to link the common people then and now, then it didn’t really work for me, which is unusual for a NT production. Perhaps it will improve over time.