Arts & Culture
REVIEW: Birdsong

Commemorating 100 years since the end of World War 1, the critically-acclaimed Birdsong hits Wyvern audiences with a story of love and loss.

Based on English author Sebastian Faulks’ best-selling novel, Birdsong has been brought to life by Alastair Whatley and Charlotte Peters at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre. Victoria Spearing’s stage design takes the Wyvern to the heart of the trenches, the French countryside, and to the side of a soldier’s hospital bed - to her credit she really achieves the suspension of disbelief, and as an audience member you feel very much a part of it. For instance, there’s an unnerving but incredible effect put into play as a dark smog seeps out into the audience, diving into a more immersive theatre performance. Cue Dominic Bilkey’s compelling use of sound, and the production is striking in so many ways. [caption id=“attachment_35570” align=“aligncenter” width=“741”] Tim Treloar (Jack Firebrace) and Alfie Browne-Skyes. Credit Jack Ladenburg[/caption] Birdsong, whether you’ve heard of it or not, is a powerful story which depicts the harrowing hardships during World War 1, but also sheds light on the camaraderie between soldiers. We follow, in particular, Lieutenant Stephen Wraysford (Tom Kay) who leads his men ‘over the top’ whilst carrying a great sadness of his own - during the times within the trenches the production depicts a raw realism of the lives of these men who are later posted to The Somme. [caption id=“attachment_35568” align=“aligncenter” width=“729”] James Findlay, Riley Carter, Simon Lloyd, Alfie Browne-Skyes and Jeffery Harmer in Birdsong. Credit: Jack Ladenburg[/caption] One of the stand-out performances for me here is Tim Treloar’s portrayal of sapper Jack Firebrace. He’s a London Underground digger turned military engineer because the pay was better. Now in the depths of the trenches as one of ‘the rats’ Tim Treloar gives a striking performance, illustrating the average family man now engulfed within World War 1 missing his home and family - it’s an overwhelmingly human story that really gripped me. [caption id=“attachment_35565” align=“aligncenter” width=“750”] Treloar and Wraysford[/caption] After an explosion in the trenches Wraysford is taken to hospital. Through a dynamic and well-executed stage transition, the second story unfolds - before the war he met the love of his life: a beautiful but married French woman Isabelle Azaire (Madeleine Knight). With a reflective and dream-like disposition the audience watch in a heart-wrenching sadness as the two make plans for a life together, until Wraysford is posted to The Somme. [caption id=“attachment_35564” align=“aligncenter” width=“692”] Lieutenant Stephen Wraysford and Isabelle Azaire[/caption] Complexities and hardships are just reoccurring realities by the second half - the cast and story, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff, give incredible performances to convey this - which caused many of the Wyvern’s spectators to be reduced to tears. Very moving indeed - my mother is still recovering from the impact. It’s not all doom and gloom. Transitional accents are used to represent the English, French, and German sides which for me are reminiscent of British sitcom ‘All ‘Allo. As a fan of the programme, and in accordance with some of the more comedic aspects of the show, this made me laugh - particularly as the cast seemed to have fun with it, which brought a close-knit chemistry to their performances. [caption id=“attachment_35569” align=“aligncenter” width=“743”] Birdsong. Credit Jack Ladenburg[/caption] Whatever side of the war the cast embodies, Birdsong depicts from them a very human angle from an incredibly difficult time. It’s moving, it’s entertaining, and Birdsong is a must-see. Birdsong will be at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre until Saturday March 24. For further information, and to purchase tickets, click here. 

  • REVIEW: Birdsong
  • REVIEW: Birdsong
  • REVIEW: Birdsong
  • REVIEW: Birdsong
  • REVIEW: Birdsong
  • REVIEW: Birdsong
  • REVIEW: Birdsong