Reviews

Wish You Weren’t Here (Greater Manchester Fringe Festival)

A new play at The King’s Arms chronicles the lives of those who fought in World War One

Wish You Weren’t Here, from Past Productions, is an unusual depiction of the First World War. Rather than the, now traditional, approach of showing the human cost of the conflict and condemning those in charge the play recreates the naively positive atmosphere that prevailed in Blighty during the war.

Unlike Oh What a Lovely War the play takes a non-ironic look at the situation. Two cast members recreate decent people who are determined to do their bit and wouldn’t dream of grumbling. The audience, all three of us on opening night, contribute to the "we’re all in this together" atmosphere by joining in on jolly singsongs. You have been warned.

The story unfolds partly as correspondence between frontline solider Tom and his wife, Mabel. Tom becomes an unintentional hero when he is forced to bring a nighttime mission forward into the daylight. Mabel works in a munitions factory and her letters provide background information on working conditions, the pride the country takes in its soldiers, the brutal manner of conscription and the intimidating use of white feathers.

Production values are high with startling sound effects and musical excerpts yet the mundane presentation suggests the play might be better suited to an educational environment rather than a theatre. Remarks are addressed direct to the audience and dialogue is distorted by the need to include facts and figures.

Wish You Weren’t Here runs out of steam early and has to rewind after a natural conclusion is reached to shoehorn in some extra scenes that feel like padding.