We saw the 6th Jan performance and both agreed that it is a must see on the West End at the moment. A serious play, well acted which moves between sets effortlessly, engages the audience and creates a powerful atmosphere. I agree it does not match the magnificent Journey's End but that is a very high bar indeed as a comparison. There is, in my opinion, far too much complete rubbish on the West End at the moment (with one or two notable exceptions)and Birdsong stands head and shoulders above the mediocrity. Do yourself a favour and go see Birdsong before it finishes, a great night out. - Gordon
09 Jan 11
I thought, personally, that the play was magnificent. The simplistic backdrop of images drew in the audience into the scene and added so much to the play; the actors were superb, particularly Lee Ross as Firebrace- he was incredible. Although the deliverance of Wraysford's lines by Barnes were a little lacklustre at times, the events selected from the book and the overall atmosphere throughout was incredibly powerful. I was moved several times, especially by Ross and I personally think it was a great representation of the book. - david
07 Jan 11
Tedious. Poor acting. Poor direction. No wonder only a few people were in the audience. - Barnaby
03 Jan 11
Gosh! Where do I start? My favourite novel - ruined. Ben Barnes is painful as Wraysford. Utterly painful. After ten minutes I could predict the pattern of his speech. His intonation remained the same whether he was declaring love, fighting in the trench, bantering with a friend or asking for fishfingers for tea. Every line was delivered like a rabbit in headlights. 'Isabelle. I love you. I really. really. do. I. Can't believe. how much. I. Love. You'
Urgh! Isabelle was equally awful and played with no emotion. Was she intending to sound like a man?
Lee Ross on the other hand was absolutely marvellous. Strong and moving. Very good.
All in all I am sad I went to see this play. This sounds like a rant but it doesn't mean to be. I am just so disappointed. - Billie
12 Dec 10
The acting was almost perfect with Lee Ross utterly superb. The play whilst harrowing never flagged and was certainly not too long. The direction was faultless especially regarding pace and staging. For me this depiction of the atrocities of war felt more poignant than I think a filmed version. I am so glad I was persuaded to see this play. - Carrie
13 Nov 10
Yet again my first attempt at posting a review failed.
If you'ver ever wondered what a talking book would look like on stage Birdsong gives a pretty good idea. Rachel Wagstaff struggles with the theatrical medium and there is far too much narration rather than portrayal of events. Trevor Nunn provides a predictably dutiful if sometimes plodding production, not helped by a mostly bare stage and video projections. After a first act lacking any real sexual chemistry between Stephen and Isabelle events do pick up when the play sifts to the trenches of the First World War. Although not a patch on Journey's End these are beautifully portrayed, particularly through an excellent performance from Lee Ross as a doomed sapper. The tragic ending was given added poignancy as we were seeing the play on November 11, Armistice Day. - David Baxter
11 Nov 10
Brilliant production with a superb group of actors.
Ben Barnes could not have been better cast. - Ann
05 Oct 10
Overlong (at preview stage anyhow) with zero chemistry where it matters, this makes "Oh what a lovely war!" seem cutting edge even today. Ave yourself £2o and read the book. - Bob
29 Sep 10
Absolutely brilliant---it was a very poignant story and had sadness, humour and just superb. All the cast were totally A1-5 star specially Ben Barnes and also Lee Ross who added humour and sadness so well. Deserves to do well and put along War Horse as one of the best WWI pieces on stage. Will go and see it again. - Joe Spiteri
29 Sep 10
Very powerful and moving. - Henry
29 Sep 10
I think Rachel Wagstaff's stage version has managed to do justice to the wonderful novel of Birdsong. It is the most moving night I have ever spent at the theatre. - Veronica Youlten
29 Sep 10
Saw the third preview -- very long (someone (not Nunn) was sitting near me "cutting" the script. Most people in the audience had read the book; I did not and found much of it confusing. Leading man spends a good deal of the play intalking directly to the audience. Very little sympathy for the leads (Isabelle character is stiff as a board. Second male lead Cockney Jack comes off best. Journey's End handled the same siutation with great pathos and depth. This one should have been left as a novel. - Mike Wall
