REVIEW: THEIR FINEST HOUR at Waterloo East Theatre 8-26 March 2023

‘War time derring do with a nod to Vera Lynn’ ★★★★

A family gather after the funeral of their relative Bert, a World War 2 RAF veteran. Among his things they discover a suitcase containing mementos of his life during the war. So begins a journey into the past.

Their Finest Hour is the weaving together of fragments of the lives of numerous ordinary men and women who made victory over Nazi Germany possible. Interspersed with snippets of famous Churchillian speeches and the exploits of better-known characters from World War 2, essentially this play is a celebration of forgotten heroes, told in their own words. The tales they tell are sometimes funny, sometimes poignant and always brave. Steve Darlow’s play cleverly interlaces their stories with iconic songs of the time.

Joe Malyan’s direction was wonderfully imaginative and his use of visual story telling really brought the play to life. The clever use of props and set – a step ladder as Anderson shelter, chairs as the cockpits of fighter jets – were brilliant touches that kept the audience constantly engaged and surprised.

The excellent ensemble playing of the cast was beautiful to watch, as they seamlessly transitioned from one story to the next. Each actor played multiple roles as well as creating the visual backdrop to the words. It was such an ensemble piece it is hard to pick out anyone in particular, but Alice Moore lit up the stage every time one of her characters came to the fore.

A real star of the show was the lighting design: kudos to Lyndon Baines. And for once the trains rumbling overhead at Waterloo East actually enhanced the atmosphere of the play, as they sounded like the distant drone of aircraft or bombs falling.
 
I loved the ambition of the writing. The myriad untold stories and anecdotes brought to the fore the lives of unknown people who were so essential to allied victory. Their voices are what made the play. However, given its length - nearly 2 and a half hours - the play was crying out for a strong central narrative or character to bind it all together. The character of Jamie Dunlop was too much of a narrator to provide the emotional connection and thread that would have helped those who know less about World War 2, to connect to the piece.

The narrative of plucky British folk (with the odd Canadian and Australian thrown in), all good wholesome people with stiff upper lips, was a bit one dimensional but I think that was the point. To celebrate the bravery of ordinary people fighting for a better world, and whose enormous sacrifice made victory possible at considerable cost.

Produced by ‘Flying High’ and ‘For George’ productions

Photo credit: Sean Strange

THEIR FINEST HOUR by Steve Darlow, Waterloo East Theatre, 8-26 March 2023, Fighting HIgh & For George Productions

BOX OFFICE https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/their-finest-hour

Performers:           Tabitha Baines, Laura Hannawin, Alex Cosgriff, Emma Kemp,

Jack Fairey Patrick Lock, Alice Moore Peter Pearson

Director:               Joe Malyan

Writer and Producer Steve Darlow

Producer                Auriole Wells

Assistant Producer Jack Fairey

Executive Producer Sean Feast

Musical Director     Tim Cumper

Costume Design:    Anne ‘Bam’ Thomson

Lighting Design      Lyndon Baines

Reviewer: Srabani Sen

Srabani is a theatre actress and playwright. As an actress she has performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (The Globe), the Arcola, Southwark Playhouse, The Pleasance and numerous fringe theatres, in a range of roles from Shakespeare to plays by new and emerging writers. She has written several short and full length plays. Her play Tawaif was longlisted for the ETPEP Finborough award, and her play Vijaya was shortlisted for the Sultan Padamsee Playwrights Award in Mumbai.