Writer: Sebastian Faulks
Adaptor: Rachel Wagstaff
Director: Alastair Whatley
Sebastian Faulks’ World War One novel makes a gripping and impressive stage play but it is not one to leave its audience cheering at the end. Instead a reflective audience left Birdsong at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, reminded of the unnecessary horrors of war and of the huge human desire to love and be loved, not just romantically, but by friends and family.
There is, however, a central romance between the young and naive Englishman Stephen, played by James Esler with a stunning performance marking his professional debut, and Frenchwoman Isabelle, played beautifully by Charlie Russell. She is unhappily married to a tyrannical factory owner and their passionate affair starts just as unrest breaks out amid the factory workers facing the demands of mechanisation.
Rachel Wagstaff remade the book for the theatre and created three acts – with two intervals – loosely encompassing pre-war life, the war on the front line, and afterward. This is bookended by a present day pilgrimage to the graves of the Somme, paying tribute to acts of kindness and bravery amid the bloodshed.
The complexities of the novel mean that every character has a back story and this makes for a rich first act, almost a play within the play.
Indeed, those booking are warned that it is only suitable for those over 15, that it contains haze, smoke, loud noises, nudity, simulated sexual content, strong language, sexual references, themes of war, death and violence and references to abuse. Director Alastair Whatley delivers on all counts.
The second act takes Stephen to France where an army of hastily enlisted civilians are fighting and tunnelling for year after year.
An incredibly simple set by Richard Kent transforms the vast stage into the claustrophobic tunnels by lowering a slatted wooden ceiling and by expert dimming and direction of the lighting. Indeed at one stage the actors are barely visible, summoning up their shocking confinement.
There are heartbreaking stories aplenty amid this ragtag outfit and their telling is added to immensely by the music and songs of the period, originally designed by Tim van Eyken and often led by James Findlay as Brennan.
Max Bowden – TV’s former EastEnder Ben – plays Jack Firebrace, the heart of the unit, who we see playful, desolate and apparently fearless.
The mechanisation feared by the factory workers is now mowing down men in their thousands and the act ends with a scene reminiscent of Blackadder’s finest moment.
The final act draws plot lines together but also sprawls as it spins out to the future and concludes, of course, with birdsong.
Runs until 25 January 2025
The Reviews Hub Score
Richly rewarding
