1st Night Photos: Faulks Tunes up Birdsong Opening

The play, which is directed by Trevor Nunn, centres on Stephen Wraysford (played by Ben Barnes) who, while staying as the guest of a factory owner in pre-war France, embarks on a passionate affair with Isabelle (Genevieve O’Reilly), the wife of his host. A few years later Stephen finds himself back in the area, but this time as a soldier at the Battle of the Somme, the bloodiest encounter in British military history. As his men die around him, Stephen turns to his enduring love for Isabelle for the strength to continue.

TO SCROLL THROUGH ALL OF BIRDSONG‘s 1ST NIGHT PHOTOS,
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PHOTOS BY DAN WOOLLER FOR WHATSONSTAGE.COM.

Barnes and O’Reilly are joined in the principal cast by Genevieve O’Reilly (best known as Sarah Caulfield in TV’s Spooks) as love interest Isabelle, Nicholas Farrell as Rene Azaire, Iain Mitchell as Berard, Lee Ross as Jack Firebrace and Zoe Waites as Jeanne. Also in the company are Owain Arthur, Billy Carter, Florence Hall, Paul Hawkyard, Gregg Lowe, Joe Coen, Jack Hawkins, James Staddon and Annabel Topham.

Birdsong is currently booking at the Comedy Theatre until 15 January 2011.