A Farewell to Arms (Tour – Salford)

To coincide with the centenary anniversary of the First World War, ‘imitating the dog’ bring their own unique take on Ernest Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms.

Based on the author’s real-life experience in 1918 Italy ‘A Farewell to Arms’ illustrates the story of American Frederic Henry (McGowan) and his relationship with British nurse Catherine Barley (Atherton) set against the grim reality of war.

Alongside the devastating backdrop ‘imitating the dog’ incorporate the media of live video cameras to project on the walls behind the actors. Doing so offers extreme close ups of the two protagonists, magnifying their turbulent journey and relationship.

The digital effects employed within the dramatization of the wartime romance may be impressive and at times stunning but at the same time can be as equally distracting and overwhelming.

Also, the multitude of languages spoken can also make the production feel like you are watching a foreign film. Complete with subtitles, characters speak fluent Italian and French. For that I was incredibly impressed, the actors seemed to reel off the lines without fault.

The subtitles are beamed above the performers, though quite a few audience members couldn’t quite keep up with the pace set. However this technological advancement which simply wouldn’t have been possible for many earlier adaptions creates a new level of narrative for the modern spectator.

Jude Monk McGowan completely stole the show. He switches from English to Italian without a hint of struggle. The supporting actors who play assorted roles and a chorus of narrators – as well as functioning as camera operators too are very good.

I admire how, as opposed to talking to nothing when narrating the ensemble spoke to one another and at times even debated the outcome of our doomed lovers. As if they were constructing and moulding the story between themselves.

The narration fluctuates as the play progressed, at times when our protagonists were in peril almost deafening, clearly projecting to the audience how trapped their situation put them.

In true Hemmingway style, the tale isn’t a cheerful one but does magnify the horrors that thankfully we today can only imagine. Fitting in well with the centenary anniversary of the First World War the first UK adaption of the text is a successful one.

A Farewell to Arms is at the Lowry until 15 November.