Holding Hands at Paschendale

by Martin Lynch

Directed by Christopher Loscher

White Bear Theatre

2 - 27 Mar 2011

Christopher Loscher's play follows Moe Coutts and Willie Harvey as these two WWI soldiers spend four days in 1917 awaiting Moe's court martial for cowardice. At first they seem like quite the odd couple. Moe's a cockney "professional entertainer" with an almost childlike enthusiasm, while Willie is a taciturn Irishman from Greencastle (near Belfast) who can barely contain his contempt for Moe. However their developing friendship and the revelations explaining why they are in this situation – shackled together by handcuffs and fighting for Britain in this war – is the crux of the story.

First, walking into the theatre is an experience in itself. Mike Lee's brilliant set instantly assaults your senses with the sounds and smells of war, combining the smell of damp hay that covers the floor, the noise of distant bombs falling and heavy smoke hanging in the air. The lighting is put to good use by Vivienne Clavering to show the passing of the days, and the missing slats of the barn at the back of the stage shows peeks of scrubland to remind us of the war still going on.

The play opens with Moe deliriously ranting about his brother Charlie in his sleep, and his assertions to Willie that he does not remember getting arrested or who Willie is. Christopher Birks portrays Moe's whirlwind of emotional states wonderfully, from desperate shows of joviality to all consuming anger and fear. Nick Danan as Willie is the "straight man" for much of the first act, giving very little away, but revealing more and more as the play progresses. To build and maintain the emotional intensity needed to make this plot work, two strong actors with multi layered portrayals of Willie and Moe are essential and most people will not disappointed.

Despite the physical constraints of handcuffs and the small stage, Loscher and choreographer Luis Gallo make this play as physical as possible, including a very entertaining and well executed dance scene. Personal space is highlighted; the characters are trapped in so many different ways both physically and mentally. Though Willie is constantly asserting his power over Moe throughout the play, we are reminded at the end that they are both powerless.

The use of music from that era, like 'Danny Boy' and 'It's a long way to Tipperary' was a nice touch. The characters bond through sharing popular culture, and the songs heighten the poignancy of their recollections of their pasts and their home sickness.

This play is a very good character exploration, with great sets and performances. My one complaint from a play that delved so deeply into its two characters was that the criticisms of war could strike you as a bit simplistic and unexplored. Saying that, this was an engaging and enjoyable production.

Box Office: 020 7793 9193

www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk

138 Kennington Park Road, SE11 4DJ

Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Sundays at 6.00pm

Tickets: £12 (£10 Concessions)