Bernie Kavanaghs anti-war play, presented by Feet and Fingers TC, has a brilliant premise. We first encounter a fighting unit who have survived the Somme as they prepare to go over the top again. We then follow the same group of characters into the Second World War and present day Iraq.
Director Matt Whitney has got some committed performances out of the six strong company, though theres a bit too much shouting in what is a small space. Phil McGough is particularly affecting as the most reluctant and terrified recruit, and Gary Walker is strong as the sergeant, torn between inspiring and leading his men and obeying the orders of high command. The problem with the piece is the script, which has some nice passages but in the end doesnt really say anything new about war or warfare. This means Pete Aldreds Captain is constantly sneering, as Kavanaghs take is that all officers are insensitive bullies who treat their largely working class recruits as mere cannon fodder.
The play does have some interesting things to say about class, and using the same characters throughout enables us to get the point that even the young lads fighting for our freedom today are often drawn from the least educated and hopeless areas of society and are therefore expendable. Nothings really changed in almost a century. The brutalising effect of war on the participants also comes to its climax with the savage beating of an Iraqi boy, which is actually quite hard to watch in this intimate space. The problem is there is no counter argument posed by any character. When is a war justified, and who should be expected to fight it?
War, war is stupid, sang that great philosopher Boy George, and thats just about what this piece tells us.
