Oh What A Lovely War

Oh what a Lovely War originated by Charles Chilton as a radio play, and was transferred to the stage by Gerry Raffles in partnership with Joan Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop.

Lisa Gilmour has a great cast with this production; the set is simple and effective, with overhead screens giving information that made it easy for everyone to follow the story, with what was happening during the First World War 1914-1918. I loved the boxes on stage that held the different props and hats, the other side of the boxes look like sandbags representing the trenches.

The cast dressed as Pierrot clowns became different characters, by adding a hat, there are some lovely cameo’s and it’s difficult to single people out but I did like Mike Pavitt, Alan Rimmer, Joseph Wright and Katy Lewis to name a few. I also liked Tom Fritter and Connor Sturrock as the dogs in the hunting scene.

Brigitte Lavoie has a good orchestra, and has worked well with the cast as the singing was very good with some nice harmonies, and strong solo and group singing.  

The musical numbers are well rehearsed and had all the well known songs from the era: ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’, ‘King and Your country’, ‘Roses of Picardy’, ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Oh What a Lovely War’.

The show was very good and left you thinking about the war and what everyone went through. Well done to all involved.

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