Light Shining in Buckinghamshire facts for kids

Light Shining in Buckinghamshire is a play written by British writer Caryl Churchill in 1976. It tells a story set during a very important time in English history.

What is Light Shining in Buckinghamshire About?

This play takes place in 1647, during the English Civil War. This was a big conflict where people in England fought over who should rule the country: the King or Parliament. The play shows how different groups of people felt about what England should be like after the war.

Some of the characters in the play are from real historical groups:

• Diggers: These were poor people who believed land should be shared by everyone. They started farming on common land, hoping to create a fairer society.
• Levellers: This group wanted more equality for ordinary people. They believed everyone should have a say in how the country was run, not just the rich or powerful.
• Ranters: These were a more extreme group who believed God was in everyone. They often acted in ways that shocked others, trying to break free from old rules.

The play shows the big dreams and hopes of these groups. It then compares their ideas with the more practical thinking of powerful leaders like Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton. Cromwell was a key military and political leader during the Civil War. Ireton was his son-in-law and also an important general.

The play's title comes from a real pamphlet written by the Diggers. It was called More Light Shining in Buckinghamshire.

How Was the Play Created?

Light Shining in Buckinghamshire was the first time Caryl Churchill worked with a theatre group called the Joint Stock Theatre Company. This company was known for creating plays in a special way, often working closely with the writers.

In 2008, a writer named Mark Ravenhill described the play. He said it shows how the exciting ideas for change during the English Civil War slowly fell apart. He also noted that the play is full of rich language, from prayers to debates, and shows how ordinary people tried to find their voice.

Where and When Was the Play First Performed?

The play first opened at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It ran for a few days in September 1976. The Joint Stock Theatre Group produced it, and Max Stafford-Clark directed the show. Caryl Churchill had a unique idea for the play: she wanted different actors to play the same character at different times. This made the audience think about the ideas more than just the individual actors.

Later Performances of the Play

The play was brought back to the stage in London in 2015 at the Royal National Theatre. Lyndsey Turner directed this new version. It had a very large cast, with over 50 actors performing together. Many people found it powerful to see such a big group singing together.

Light Shining in Buckinghamshire also had its first performance in the United States in February 1991. This was an Off-Broadway show in New York City, directed by Lisa Peterson.

Later, in May 2018, the play was performed again Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop. This production was directed by Rachel Chavkin. The cast included actors like Vinie Burrows, Rob Campbell, and others.