←Recommendations of They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    Oh my gosh. This short play takes place entirely in the dark, and the sounds are perfection. It gets creepier and creepier as it goes along. What a wild experience this would be to “see” live. A perfect, spooky, claustrophobic little play.

    Oh my gosh. This short play takes place entirely in the dark, and the sounds are perfection. It gets creepier and creepier as it goes along. What a wild experience this would be to “see” live. A perfect, spooky, claustrophobic little play.

    ”
  • Sam Heyman: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    By taking emphasis away from what can be seen and leaning on the sonic elements of the play's setting, Mackenzie Kirkman has crafted a two hander that is a sound designer's dream. Her squabbling teen protagonists find themselves navigating unknown territory without even a dry match between them, and Kirkman's expert dialogue balances edge-of-your-seat tension with fits of humor. "They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began" would be an excellent addition to a night of innovative, gripping theatre!

    By taking emphasis away from what can be seen and leaning on the sonic elements of the play's setting, Mackenzie Kirkman has crafted a two hander that is a sound designer's dream. Her squabbling teen protagonists find themselves navigating unknown territory without even a dry match between them, and Kirkman's expert dialogue balances edge-of-your-seat tension with fits of humor. "They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began" would be an excellent addition to a night of innovative, gripping theatre!

    ”
  • Toby Malone: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    I love a play that removes one of our senses and forces us to heighten the others. Here, a play in a claustrophobic cave setting lets the mind run wild since, as the title suggests, the lantern was kicked over just before the play begins, and the two boys are thrown into a panic as they are trapped underground. Sinister, spooky, and entirely relatable. Great work.

    I love a play that removes one of our senses and forces us to heighten the others. Here, a play in a claustrophobic cave setting lets the mind run wild since, as the title suggests, the lantern was kicked over just before the play begins, and the two boys are thrown into a panic as they are trapped underground. Sinister, spooky, and entirely relatable. Great work.

    ”
  • Vince Gatton: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    Maybe it's that I'm mildly claustrophobic; or maybe it's that I grew up where cave tours were standard school-field-trip fare and I can too easily place myself in this predicament; or maybe it's just that Kirkman knows how to tell a good story. However you slice it, this little bit of speculative history told entirely in the dark had my heart racing from the get-go. This desperate scenario is also infused with likable, distinct characters and a surprising amount of humor. No idea how the real-life story ended, but for me the play delivers on the shivers.

    Maybe it's that I'm mildly claustrophobic; or maybe it's that I grew up where cave tours were standard school-field-trip fare and I can too easily place myself in this predicament; or maybe it's just that Kirkman knows how to tell a good story. However you slice it, this little bit of speculative history told entirely in the dark had my heart racing from the get-go. This desperate scenario is also infused with likable, distinct characters and a surprising amount of humor. No idea how the real-life story ended, but for me the play delivers on the shivers.

    ”
  • Sage Martin: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    I love this play! It moves at a great pace and creates just enough eerieness. Well done.

    I love this play! It moves at a great pace and creates just enough eerieness. Well done.

    ”
  • Matthew Weaver: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    An utter joy to come upon a play that PLAYS.
    Kirkman here plays with light - there is none - and sound - there are so many - and words on the page and up upon the stage. We might not have ever been in Jedidah and Wayne's exact shoes - but then again, we have all been where they are now. Lost. Utterly hopeless. Trying not to panic. And what was that whisper?? Finding our way through the darkness. We hope.
    This play is a pleasure because you can see how much pleasure the playwright took in crafting it.

    An utter joy to come upon a play that PLAYS.
    Kirkman here plays with light - there is none - and sound - there are so many - and words on the page and up upon the stage. We might not have ever been in Jedidah and Wayne's exact shoes - but then again, we have all been where they are now. Lost. Utterly hopeless. Trying not to panic. And what was that whisper?? Finding our way through the darkness. We hope.
    This play is a pleasure because you can see how much pleasure the playwright took in crafting it.

    ”