Heroes

This was my first time visiting the Norbury’s delightful Skylight Theatre, a friendly, intimate space that was the perfect setting for this chamber piece, which was charmingly executed by the Norbury Players’ three-man cast.

Heroes is a 2005 translation and adaptation by Tom Stoppard of a French play Le Vent Des Peupliers (The Wind in the Poplars) by Gérald Sibleyras.  Set in a French retirement home for First World War veterans, it tells the tale of three ex-soldiers – pompous grump Gustave; pragmatic ladies’ man Henri; and vulnerable conspiracy theorist Phillipe, as they plot an adventure beyond the safety of their garden walls.  As the three bicker their way through the play, I couldn’t help but be reminded of ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, as the trio’s plans for escape became increasingly elaborate.  The play also evoked the deadpan style of Magnus Mills, as the apparently bland lives of the veterans hid deeper insights into human nature.

As Henri, Phillipe and Gustave, Chris Broad, Roger Goddard and Tam Weir each brought their characters to life, investing them with real solidity and bringing out the humour and pathos in the script.  On stage for most of the running time (each had the occasional break from the limelight), they kept their energy and pace up admirably, keeping the audience rapt from beginning to end.  The programme stated that the team had (wisely, I think) decided not to attempt French accents, although I think I still heard the odd subtle inflection from time to time, which actually worked nicely to remind us of the location in which the play was taking place. 

There was a definite warmth and comradeship between the characters, which the performers brought out well.  There were also some great one-liners, especially early on, that got good laughs from the audience, and a scene with a hosepipe was amusingly performed.  Perhaps one or two other opportunities for humour weren’t quite taken, but there were nevertheless plenty of comedic moments.  Congratulations to all three of them.

Director Keith Thompson marshalled the story expertly, making a virtue of the Skylight’s small acting space to really draw us in to the lives of these characters.  If the first half was perhaps a little static, with something of the feel of a radio play, the action ramped up considerably during the final act, as the three old soldiers flew away to their fate.  The ending was very well done, bittersweet and ambiguous.  And of course mention must be made of the four-legged fourth member of the cast, who somehow managed to make an impression despite being a statue! 

The play was nicely staged in a simple set representing the terrace at the nursing home, dominated by a park-style bench.  This was nicely lit throughout, at just the right level to illuminate the actors without overpowering them, and to indicate the changing time of day.  Costumes were just right for these three old soldiers, from the hats on their heads to their shiny shoes.  Finally, some well-chosen music set the scene perfectly.

My congratulations to all at the Norbury on a polished production of this unusual play.  It worked very well in the space and I hope its undoubted success will encourage the Players to use this space more often.  Well done, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.