“Surely this is happening too fast,” sings Keith Jack’s soldier character Charlie during Only the Brave. And, while he’s referring to his battlefield romance with Niamh Perry’s French nurse Belle, it’s an apt observation of the musical itself.
At just 75 minutes without an interval, Steve Marmion’s world premiere production has been cut down to Edinburgh Fringe-friendly size. But its multiple plotlines, inspired by real lives and love stories from the Second World War, need far more time than this to reach full power – at least another hour – and, without it, are hastily sped through.
The piece revolves around a company of British infantrymen, following their wartime action from the 1940 evacuation of Dunkirk to 1944 when, reassembled out of sense of duty, they struggle to the death to defend a bridge. Of the story’s romances – Jack and Perry’s cross-border one, and the marriage of the company’s captain John – only the latter is explained here in depth. A spy sub-plot involving Belle and a smitten Nazi is too sketchy to make any impact – and the decision to forego appropriate accents makes it even more confusing.
More central than any romance, though, is the relationships between the men: the boyhood friendship between Charlie and Gareth Richards’ Will, the paternalism of Gerald Bentall’s captain and his fellow officer, played by Tom Solomon, and the camaraderie and unswerving loyalty of the entire company. “If you’re willing to fight and die for your brothers, step forward,” barks the captain as a line of soldiers put feet out in unison and launch into the rousing anthem “Band of Brothers”, which borrows lines wholesale from Shakespeare’s Henry V.
Composer Matthew Brind conceived Only the Brave after visiting the cemeteries of northern France with his war veteran grandfather, and he’s succeeded in creating a soaring score that pays tribute to the heroism of those who fought in a way that even we successive generations, untouched by war, can appreciate. The resulting musical – with lyrics by Brind and Stephen Coleman and book by Coleman and Rachel Wagstaff – is a combination of Spielberg and Boublil and Schonberg, Saving Private Ryan meets Les Miz.
It’s truly stirring stuff and, once the book is expanded, will, I’m sure, deliver on its already impressive promise. For now, it’s still deeply moving and imminently watchable, thanks also to high production values and a talented cast, of whom Tom Solomon and Cassidy Janson are in particularly fine voice.
Finally, for the record, reality TV fans will also be glad to hear that Keith Jack (of Any Dream Will Do fame) and Niamh Perry (I’d Do Anything) also acquit themselves well, with strong singing if somewhat tentative acting performances. We’ll be seeing more of both of them, no doubt.
- Terri Paddock
Reader Reviews
Score
Comment
Date
I haven't seen a show of this magnitude since the early X Files, i have personally email FOX about this This IS a Winner! - james madaras
10 Sep 08
I haven't seen a show of this magnitude since the early X Files, i have personally email FOX about this This IS a Winner! - james madaras
10 Sep 08
Amazing show, really enjoyed the music and the story. Can't wait for the full version to hit the west end!!! - Matt A
09 Sep 08
I was so looking forward to seeing this show, but was quite disappointed at the result. Some great songs although the lyrics were quite predictable. The acting was fairly mediocre and failed to impress. Unfortunately the projection system was broken when I went to se the show and I am sure that this remove some of the stage effects which all appeared rather dull. - Chris George
23 Aug 08
Although this is a shortend version of the whole show it is worth a look.i went twice. If you want to see a musical this year at the fringe this is the one! There is only a few days left so GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! - A Fringer
22 Aug 08
Wonderful, powerful and moving show. The cast were excellent and the show deserves a place on the West End. Looking forward to my third viewing next week. A "must see" musical treat. - Jane
16 Aug 08
Absolutely phenomenal, this deserves a full West End production and I just hope they give this cast that have brought it this far the chance to pull it off on the bigger stage. - Julie
15 Aug 08
What a great show. Poignant, moving an emotionally brilliant. Andrew Lloyd Webber, eat your heart out! Has got to be the best musical the Fringe had to offer and certainly one of the best musicals I have ever seen. Congratulations! - Jacob Ellis
13 Aug 08
What a great show. Poignant, moving an emotionally brilliant. Andrew Lloyd Webber, eat your heart out! Has got to be the best musical the Fringe had to offer and certainly one of the best musicals I have ever seen. Congratulations! - Jacob
13 Aug 08
What a great show. Poignant, moving an emotionally brilliant. Andrew Lloyd Webber, eat your heart out! Has got to be the best musical the Fringe had to offer and certainly one of the best musicals I have ever seen. Congratulations! - Jacob
13 Aug 08
What a great show. Poignant, moving an emotionally brilliant. Andrew Lloyd Webber, eat your heart out! Has got to be the best musical the Fringe had to offer and certainly one of the best musicals I have ever seen. Congratulations! - Jacob
13 Aug 08
I can't wait to see a full production of 'Only the Brave' make the West End where it deserves to be! Memorable and beautiful songs on a time enduring theme.Well done to the cast, orchestra, and Matt Brind. If you have the opportunity go and see it!! Be prepared to have every emotion tested! - Doug R
13 Aug 08
As someone once said," Fantastic, fantastic, fsntastic!" Fantasic story, fantastic songs and singing and fantastic cast and orchestra. We saw it once - then twice plus extra family and friends and all have thought it great. We would love to see the full story with that cast in the West End. So glad we went to this show. Dont miss it. - Ed and Hil
09 Aug 08
Fantastic show. Very moving production great songs a fine production. - Ali and Cathy
08 Aug 08
What an amazing show ! So good we went to see it twice. Wonderful words and music and an incredible cast. We look forward to seeing the full - scale production soon. - Chris and Carol
06 Aug 08
Only the Brave is a must see at the Edinburgh Fringe!! Once I saw it, I was there, at box officebuyng a ticket for the following day!!
This is not a Fringe show, no disrespct to other shows, but this is so classyit feels like a touring prouction.
The set is very basic, but so effective with amazing visual technoligy! The set, costumes, everything is so perfect.
The music is so lushous and grand, Matthew Brind's creation is filled with heart and soul, just beautiful.
Such a well directed and acted piece. Everyoe could tell what every single person on that stage was going through and feeling, just brilliant!!
Special mention for 'Band Of Brothers' and 'The Letter Writers Song' Both gut wrenchingly beautiful. Not a dry eye in the stalls!
A Massive congratulations to the creative team and cast!! What an incredible production. - Adzy'nadz'
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