David Grindley's production of this classic First World War-set drama returns to the West End in the year we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

This revival certainly stands the test of time. Set in an officer's dug out at St Quentin in mid-1918, Journey's End centres on a young and raw second lieutenant, Raleigh (Tom Payne).

He has joined the company of his old school friend Captain Stanhope (Ben Righton), whose abruptness and cold, cynical demeanour barely hides the mental torture of life in the trenches.

However, Stanhope's reputation as a fair and gallant officer proceeds him, as reinforced by his second-in-command, Lieutenant Osborne (Michael Siberry), an older, fatherly-figure who likes to reminisce about his beloved garden.

Together with second lieutenants Trotter (Stephen Bent), Hibbert (Jake Harders) and assistant Private Mason (Rod Smith), the small company awaits a major offensive.

Grindley's production is really quite moving and the performances are well balanced and have great integrity. Siberry is splendid - the moment when his Osborne speaks candidly to Stanhope prior to an unplanned, secret offensive to capture enemy prisoners of war is heartbreaking.

And throughout the play, the jealousy and spitefulness rises between Stanhope and Raleigh, reaching a moving crescendo upon Raleigh's untimely death.

The quiet yet authoritative demeanour of Righton's leader is even more in evidence in the stand off between with Harders's weak-willed lieutenant who would do anything, even fake being sick, to withdraw from the god-forsaken trenches.

Jonathan Fensom, Jason Taylor and Gregory Clarke's atmospheric designs lend addition poignancy to the action - the final scene has a group of soldiers, not unlike heavenly angels, standing in front of a great marble-like plinth of many fallen comrades, complete with a haunting rendition of The Last Post.

Journey's End is a thought-provoking piece of theatre, which is thoroughly recommended as an anti-war testament as well as compelling entertainment.

Virgin.net

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