The atmosphere builds slowly, but the ultimate message of R.C.Sherriff’s 1928 World War 1 drama (which drew on his own experience in the trenches) retains all its power to shock in its depiction of soldiers at the front line served up as cannon fodder by the bigwigs in control.
Too enthusiastically raw to realise what they are about to face, nerves either shot to pieces or (as in the case of James Norton’s Captain Hardy) controlled by numbing whisky, these men – both young and, like Dominic Mafham’s married teacher “Uncle”, not so young – prepare to meet their fate in the service of king and country. David Grindley’s production does them proud.
Duke of York’s, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG (0844 871 7623) Tube: Charing Cross /Leicester Square dukeofyorkstheatre.co.uk Until September 3 (£15.00 - £49.50)
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