Features

Five Reasons to See… Armstrong’s War

Colleen Murphy’s new play about a 21-year old Canadian soldier recovering in hospital and the girl guide who reads for him runs at the Finborough Theatre from 11-27 August. Here the company give us five reasons to go…

Editorial Staff
London Off-West End

1. It’s a brilliant new play – See it before its Official World Premiere in Toronto!
Catch this wonderful piece of writing before it whisks off to the famous Arts Club Theatre in Toronto, Canada. Playwright Colleen Murphy has won truckloads of awards for her writing and this play shows you why. Funny, sad, beautiful and potent.

2. Jessica Barden stars. Remember this scene from the hit movie, Tamara Drewe?
Since then she’s been in all sorts of wonderful stuff (including C4’s Chickens and Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem), and is soon to hit our screens in Sammy’s War as well as the upcoming feature film, Mindscape. Her casting in Armstrong’s War as a precocious, yet fragile girl-scout is as surprising as it is scintillating.

3. Mark Quartley also stars. Mark is a remarkable actor and a real treat to watch.
You may have seen him recently star opposite James McAvoy in Macbeth at Trafalgar studios, or in Private Peaceful at Theatre Royal Haymarket. This time playing the damaged but thoughtful Michael Armstrong – a young soldier recovering from injuries picked up in Afghanistan – the chance to see Mark lead at the Finborough this summer will be very special indeed.

4. This is one of those stories for people who love good stories.

While the drama offers a unique take on ethics and morality during times of war and hardship, the premise of Murphy’s latest piece seems to be that, for better or worse, there is a transformative power in fiction. If you like good stories, or you think fiction is important, you should see this play.

5. If you’re not at the Edinburgh Fringe this August, don’t miss the best theatre London has to offer.

The Finborough Theatre produces quality shows, and for a tiny venue packs an inordinate punch on the London Theatre scene. With its extraordinary record for West-End transfers, look no further than the summer season at the Finborough, and this production of Armstrong’s War, for a memorable trip to the theatre this August.

Armstrong’s War runs on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 11-27 August 2013