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Theatre Review: The 306--Dawn

Joy Watters reviews a theatrical commemoration of lives lost in WWI.

This National Theatre of Scotland production with 14-18 Now, Perth Theatre and Red Note Ensemble is part of the artistic commemoration of the centenary of the First World War. It focusses on the 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers executed as cowards and mutineers following courts martial.

The audience is bussed to a large barn in Perthshire--the mood was already sombre driving through mist and gloom for the dawn performance on Saturday.

Writer Oliver Emanuel uses the true stories of three men as a starting point to argue that the 306 were no less victims than the millions who died in combat.

The adapted barn in Becky Minto’s design has three levels, a gallery delineated by large rifle shaped struts, several dais of varying sizes and the ground. The actors run and leap on the extensive area often to no great effect. It is the stiller moments that have maximum impact.

The inexorable journey to the firing squad is taken by an underage soldier, who naively lied about his age, having no concept of the horrors of the battlefield. The home life of a more seasoned soldier and his wife is interwoven with the trenchs as he struggles with shell shock and there is the previously lauded soldier who did what he was told.

Director Laurie Sansom has assembled a talented nine-strong ensemble, fully alive to the many demands of their roles.

The eight men play officers and men, court martial personnel and firing squad; the soldiers have the traumatic duty of executing their peers at dawn after hours of gruelling combat.

Music is a major player, with Gareth Williams’ score shot through with the tragedy of the piece. The soldiers sing beautifully and heart-rendingly while strings and piano also work on the emotions.

Bus departs from Perth Concert Hall to Dalcrue Farm. Runs until June 11, 2016.


Tags: music theatre

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