Birdsong

Synopsis

A mesmerising story of love, courage and sacrifice is now brought to the stage in this critically acclaimed version of Sebastian Faulks's bestselling novel. An epic tale of love and war set both before and during the Great War. In pre war France, a young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep under ground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.

Our Review:

31 January 2013

Birdsong is set on the Western Front in France, 1916-1918. While it is a love story it also transports you to the heart of the trenches and the gritty realism of life there. It tells the tale of an officer Stephen Wraysford (Jonathan Smith) who is injured and during his recovery has vivid recollections of a past love. At the other end of the ranks is a tunnel digger Jack Firebrace (Tim Treloar) awaiting letters from home and using his faith to get him through.

The entire cast is very strong with emotive and honest performances throughout. Jonathan Smith portrays the tormented and cynical officer and his alternative romantic side with intensity, swapping between the two instantly as his dreams of the past invade the present. Another stand out performance is given by Tim Treloar as Firebrace, the working man doing his bit for his country, his strength but vulnerability palpable throughout. A lighter note to the proceedings is supplied by Arthur Bostrom’s Berard, a...

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