Oh What a Lovely War,
Marco Players,
Chorley Old Road Methodist Church until Saturday
THIS amazing show, when first produced in 1963, did a great deal to affect attitudes to the First World War.
Through its combination of popular song and horrifying battle statistics, it hit a nerve that has never really stopped tingling. Alan Macpherson,s masterful in-the-round production, with its mixture of gaiety and horror, captures the mood of the text perfectly.
The musical numbers, beautifully choreographed by Natalie Crompton, set a subtle resonance for the show,s heartbeat. The cheerful Johnny Jones, followed by the fierce fun of Belgium Put The Kibosh On The Kaiser, the great recruiting number Make A Man Of You and the act one climax of Goodbyee, paves the way for the more sombre atmosphere of act two, conveyed by Keep The Home Fires Burning and Adieu La Vie, in a devastating dance sequence which I challenge you to watch unmoved.
The intervening scenes and sketches are by turns hilarious and lacerating in context. Star turns are too numerous to mention.
The Marco company of nine men and five women are a perfect ensemble, their teamwork and communication a lovely reminder of the adventurous artistic attitude that created the show in the first place.
This human, humane examination of the horrors that hang on men's decisions will make you laugh, cry and remember them. Don't miss it.
Nigel McFarlane
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