Valentijn Dhaenens is a master of his craft. This touching, poignant performance was intriguing, beguiling and truly heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed the intertextuality, the use of song and innovative media, and the use of interesting techniques throughout.
Though possibly considered a monologue, this performance used gentle argument to understand the human behaviour in war. The heady excitement of young men preparing to do battle, the terror and horror of the trenches, and the sickening reality of injuries and death.
This was the first time that the show had been performed in English, having been translated from Flemish. I found the use of language particularly interesting, and although there were some parts which were not grammatically perfect, I actually felt that this added to the performance and hope that these remain.
Dhaenens' performance was skilful, and his characters had a distinct disquiet about them, which was emphasised by the lighting which was used to great effect. The performance captured my imagination, and one part that particularly stuck in my mind was the use of a slap of the face as the beat to a song. It was hard to take your eyes off it, and certainly caught my attention in a rather masochistic manner which in itself was a pathetic fallacy for the content of this play.
This show will be returning to the Plymouth Theatre Royal at the Drum in September. I urge you to watch it, for it is a memorable performance which left the audience sat in their seats slightly dazed at it's end- none wanting to be the first to move.
Do not watch if you are offended by bare male bottoms.
Image above not my own.
9/10
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