Post by showgirl on Mar 1, 2018 15:51:34 GMT
This new play is nearly at the end of its near sellout run (they even had to add an extra matinee today), so unless you've already booked, you're unlikely to be able to see it here, but given that Howard Brenton is quite a name (Anne Boleyn, Pravda) and that the story is interesting, I hope it will have a longer life and think that's likely.
So the subject is Southampton during the Battle Of Britain; how other business premises were requisitioned to replace bombed factories to ensure continuing production of Spitfire parts, and the impact of this and the war in general on a variety of individuals. The special effects are simple but very impressive (eg projections onto the floor a la Curious Incident), but what I found most eye-catching was an illuminated skeleton of an aircraft wing, bending and turning to illustrate aerodynamics.
The treatment is a bit heavy-handed at times, particularly regarding the imposition of government orders with no consideration for the individuals affected, and I didn't find it credible that of the two young female leads, one should be the only female "draughtsman" in the Spitfire factory and that the other should join the Air Transport Auxiliary to complete the circle after her family's laundry business was displaced to make Spitfire parts - it was just too schematic and implausible. There were similar improbabilities in the older characters' stories but it was still a very entertaining and engaging experience and as if the plot and special effects weren't enough, there was also a 25-strong community choir, well-drilled, acting as a chorus and playing the supporting, non-speaking roles.
Plus Hilton McCrae as Beaverbrook and Anita Dobson, Catherine Cusack and David Birrell, the last 3 busily doubling, so all in all whilst not subtle, plenty to keep the eye and mind busy and to reflect on afterwards - recommended.
So the subject is Southampton during the Battle Of Britain; how other business premises were requisitioned to replace bombed factories to ensure continuing production of Spitfire parts, and the impact of this and the war in general on a variety of individuals. The special effects are simple but very impressive (eg projections onto the floor a la Curious Incident), but what I found most eye-catching was an illuminated skeleton of an aircraft wing, bending and turning to illustrate aerodynamics.
The treatment is a bit heavy-handed at times, particularly regarding the imposition of government orders with no consideration for the individuals affected, and I didn't find it credible that of the two young female leads, one should be the only female "draughtsman" in the Spitfire factory and that the other should join the Air Transport Auxiliary to complete the circle after her family's laundry business was displaced to make Spitfire parts - it was just too schematic and implausible. There were similar improbabilities in the older characters' stories but it was still a very entertaining and engaging experience and as if the plot and special effects weren't enough, there was also a 25-strong community choir, well-drilled, acting as a chorus and playing the supporting, non-speaking roles.
Plus Hilton McCrae as Beaverbrook and Anita Dobson, Catherine Cusack and David Birrell, the last 3 busily doubling, so all in all whilst not subtle, plenty to keep the eye and mind busy and to reflect on afterwards - recommended.
