Birdsong (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review

Wednesday 14 March 2018


Birdsong (UK Tour)
New Victoria Theatre 
Reviewed on Tuesday 13th March 2018 by Steve Willox
★★★★


This excellent performance warranted a viewing full house, however this was not to be, with only approx 150 seats occupied at Birdsong's opening in Woking.


Rachel Wagstaff has cleverly adapted Sebastian Faulks' novel Birdsong into a thought provoking play.  The play takes place mainly on the Western Front in France during World War I (1916 - 1918) but intertwines back to 1910 in Amiens where we meet Stephen Wraysford before his involvement in the war.



A well designed set allowed for the easy movement from 1910 to World War 1 to pass effortlessly. Enabling us to see, through flashbacks, Stephen's memories of the love of his life, Isabelle.  Low lighting gave a feeling of life in the trenches and also highlighted when there was an explosive moment of gun fire and shells.




A small but skilful cast, playing many different roles, brought Faulks's novel to the stage in an emotional and moving way.  Tim Treloar gives a soul-stirring performance as Jack Firebrace; eager and intense when rallying his mates whilst tunnelling under enemy lines, but  sad and emotional at the death of his son.  The rest of the cast were also adept at bringing this moving and evocative novel to the stage.



Whilst initially this may not have been our first choice of theatre viewing we are so very glad that we went.  A beautiful love story, inter weaved with the horrors of war. We would thoroughly recommend this production of Birdsong.

Birdsong runs at the New Victoria Theatre until March 17th before continuing it's tour.

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