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:

David Jobson - 25 January 2013

Following its 2010 London production, Rachel Wagstaff – the adapter of Sebastian Faulks’ widely-praised novel – has returned with a revised adaptation of Birdsong. The play switches between the trenches of World War I and the memories of Captain Stephen Wraysford of his relationship with Isabelle Azaire. This helps to create a digestible story that moves along at a good pace. The combination of the romantic story and the horrors experienced during the war makes the play into a very poignant experience.

The actors who carry the show are Jonathan Smith as Stephen Wraysford, and Tim Treloar as the “sewer rat” tunneller Jack Firebrace and the story follows the pair as the war takes away whatever they hold dear. Sarah Jayne Dunn is a reserved and tortured Isabelle Azaire and the relationship of Isabelle with Wraysford comes across as a sensuous one. The rest of the cast play a variety of characters and many have their moments, inc...

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Latest User Review

Adam Kellett-Long - 28 February 2013:

Saw this at Guildford, and was both impressed and moved. Treloar's Firebrace was a great piece of acting but relative newcomer Jonathn Smith did a great job in the lead. The entire cast was faultless....

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