RC Sheriff's classic Journey's End is still as good
as it ever was in the latest reincarnation of the play at the New Ambassadors
Theatre.
The vintage World War One drama tells the tale of a young officer, 2nd
Lieutenant Raleigh (Tom Payne), who arrives fresh-faced to all the horrors of
trench warfare.
He joins the regiment of Captain Stanhope (Ben Righton) - his boyhood idol and
sister's sweetheart - who has been driven to alcoholism by so many years of
fighting.
A strained, paranoid relationship develops between the two in the claustrophobic
dugout where the entire play takes place, as the paternal Lieutenant Osborne
(Michael Siberry) and other characters attempt to pacify the situation.
The production is amazingly powerful and the impressive set draws the audience
into the tense atmosphere.
The whole play takes place in just one room - a First World War dugout - but the
true hell that must have been trench warfare is magnificently brought out by the
cast as they scurry in and out of the underground room.
Strong performances from every member of the cast carry the show with Michael
Siberry's performance as the patient, paternal Osborne particularly notable
along with Tom Payne's suitably eager and naive Raleigh.
Still going strong 77 years after its first performance Journey's End is well
worth revisiting. Excellent.
Muswell Hill Journal - William Lee