An impassioned production based on the famous 1965 debate features strong performances yet somehow it doesn’t feel quite like theatre.
As a place filled with history, it feels appropriate that Christopher McElroen’s Debate: Baldwin Vs Buckley arrives at Wilton’s Music Hall this week.
Reconstructing the February 1965 debate at the Cambridge Union between James Baldwin and William F Buckley Jr. with the topic under discussion surrounding the topic of the American dream being achieved at the expense of black Americans.
Firstly, as the impassioned speeches take place it becomes increasingly clear just how relevant the debate still remains in these turbulent times, leaving the audience with plenty to mull over. But yet, there is no real interaction with the speakers between each other – except from some flashes of eye contact, there is a sense of detachment which means it doesn’t quite feel like theatre. But it does have to be said that the way in which the cast pick out audience members and catch their eye adds a sense of reality to proceedings.
This is helped by the way in which Christopher McElroen’s production is framed by footage introducing each speaker to the stage, it draws the audience into this important debate and reall absorb every word that is being spoken. As much as possible, it seems as though the dialogue is faithful to the original speeches making it feel like a faithful representation of an important historical event – however, it would be best to come into the play with a little bit of knowledge of the debate.
The staging might be simplistic, but this means that the audience is not distracted away from the powerful words that are spoken throughout this hour long piece. It is a credit to all of the performances of the cast that they keep the audience enthralled with what is being said.
While Eric T. Miller as Buckley, Christopher Wareham and Tom Kiteley play the Cambridge Union speakers David Heycock and Jeremy Burford are all extremely eloquent in their delivery it is Arnell Powell as Baldwin that really stands out in his performance. He offers a rawness, passion with undertones of bitterness that makes the audience sit up and pay attention, which makes a nice contrast to Miller’s challenging take on Buckley.
It might be an understated production that in many ways doesn’t feel like traditional theatre given that the characters speak out to the audience rather than to each other. However, there is much to be taken away including racial injustice and attitudes towards immigration that will strike a chord with many in the audience.
Overall, Debate: Baldwin Vs Buckley is a fascinating watch in terms of watching an important piece of history being brought to life and what messages we can still take away from it in 2026. Yet it feels as though it is lacking just a little more depth and boldness to make it feel like theatre.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Debate: Baldwin Vs Buckley continues to play until the 7th February.