Written and directed by Alex King for Old Fruit Jar productions, this is the hard-hitting, powerful, and sympathetically told true story of the only military execution of a US military citizen by the US military since the civil war. Perhaps it is a story which should be more widely told and acknowledged, but it is also a story that the US are obviously not proud of and so it passes us by forgotten and consigned to history. Here the play shows up the rulings and feelings of the US military, warts an' all. It makes us take sides, - sometimes changing our affiliations as the play progresses - but it also makes us realise the power of the human spirit and, as the digital programme so eloquently puts it, the human cost of obedience.
It is the last years of the second world war, in France, and Private Slovik and another private in his company lose their regiment after a bomb blast and walk to try to find them, albeit in the wrong direction. After an unfortunate turn of events, and conversations with Eisenhower himself, the order is given that Private Slovik be executed for desertion.
The play itself is very wordy, and also quite static, but knowing the material intimately worked in King's favour as both writer and director as he was able to inject this courtroom-style drama with enough dynamism to sustain our interest for the full 90 minute running time (without interval). Realistic costuming, some nicely placed sound effects and a cast of sterling actors made this a very watchable and compelling drama.
A truly ensemble company of seven actors navigated this claustrophobic and tense playground, several playing roles far in advance of their true years, and assumedly all portraying real-life personages too. The atmosphere was created right from the start with the cast on stage as we entered the auditorium, and there was no let-up throughout, as we learnt more about both the US army in France during the Normandy landings and the machinations of their hierarchy and regulations, with a little bit of racism thrown in for good measure!
JOSH ENNIS Captain Woods
LEW FREEBURN Captain Green
DANIEL HIRD Lt. Colonel Sommer
LUKE SEDDON Maj. General Cota
JORDAN BARKLEY Private Williams
JAMES DORMAN Cpt. Father Cummings
JAMIE PEACOCK Private Slovik
Congratulations to all. It took me a very long time to bring myself back to the now afterwards. Effective imagery, writing and sensitive directing.
Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu
On - 24.1.26
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