After one of us getting lost, with four minutes until the play started, I ran to find her outside the theatre where The Lion King was showing and we ran to the Duchess Theatre with under a minute to spare before the curtain flew up. Phew.
Not really knowing what to expect (we had been debating whether it would be set after WWI or WWII, however it was neither), we found the play was set in 1984, based around patients killing time whilst convalescing after injuries gained in the line of duty; Fauklands/Hyde Park bombings/other. After the first half we were all talking about how brilliant the acting was, especaially the interactions between all six actors, and that it was just "SO GOOD". Since the play was set in the 80s, the music played within the performance, and in the interval, was pretty cool. LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL I'LL BE GONE WHEN THE MORNING COMES/OLIVER'S ARMY IS HERE TO STAAAAY, being two of my favourites. The set; of a ward in a military hospital, was authentic and convincing, as were the props. Talking of props, the way Matt, Arthur and Lewis Reeves manouvered their wheelchairs was expertly done. Top draw, as my Dad The Northener would say.
Our Boys is a thoughtful, interesting and real play, full of feeling, banter, emotion (at one point I was covering my eyes out of fear) and a fair amount of laughs (including a Russian Roulette parody with fizzing beer cans). So I recommend it- booking until Saturday 15 December! (http://www.ourboystheplay.com/)
Bethan
