Birdsong

Birdsong - Greasepaint and Stage Lights - Theatre Radio Show

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Birdsong

Birdsong

Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury)

Review Complete

“This is a powerful play with some dark themes”

Review

Full disclosure, I have not read the book (now 30 years old) or seen the recent Netflix adaptation, however those accompanying me have and tell me the stage adaptation is true to the story. Unsurprisingly therefore, I had no idea what to expect other than that premise was a love story.

The play opens in France in the present with a man looking for a grave, not of his great grandfather (the play follows his life) but of his friend, Jack Firebrace. He starts to tell the gardener why and then we are transported seamlessly back to 1910 where Englishman Stephen Wraysford, is visiting a factory in Amiens on behalf of his guardian. During his time in France he falls in love and the first act follows that story. There is some very tasteful nudity and a passionate sex scene which is superbly acted.

In Act 2 we have moved on to the middle of the 1^st world war. Wraysford is now an army officer and we see how he develops from a bitter man who begins a friendship with a ‘sapper’ in a different battalion, Jack Firebrace as a result of Firebrace saving his life.

Act 3 (yes, this is a long play – it’s a long book!) then takes us from towards the end of the war and beyond.

The thirteen actors all play varying parts of soldiers, factory workers and others with only James Esler as Wraysford remaining in the same role throughout. The acting and direction is so good that you barely notice that the French Jeanne from Act 1 is now the Irish nurse Mary in Act 2 or wearing an army uniform to bulk out the men.

This is a powerful play with some dark themes and only one or two light-hearted moments. It’s not for those of a nervous disposition as there are some very loud sound effects but for me this is a must-see. Many of the audience were moved to tears and I am now going to binge the Netflix series and then (probably) read the book too. For those curious about the title, it is called Birdsong for a few reasons. The sound of birdsong was said to still be heard when the noise of the guns died down. It couldn’t be heard underground but was apparent when all was safe and quiet.

Reviewer: Emily Culverhouse

We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.