England Expects @ Curve

I first saw this excellent play about 5 weeks ago at Upstairs at The Western as part of Off The Fence's World War 1 commemorations. That production starred the very capable Becca Cooper. Now, prior to a national tour, the production has been showcased at Leicester's Curve with Teresa Jennings taking over the role.
With her cut glass diction I am reminded a little of Julie Andrews playing Victor Victoria. The script is unchanged so that left me free to admire the subtle physical changes Teresa brings to the role.
Surprisingly, in the much bigger space of one of the Curve's minor performance areas the play with words still retained the intimate feel of the original Western production.
Mixing comedy, songs and pathos England Expects shows how the forced jollity of the music halls camouflaged the virtual press ganging of cannon fodder to the poppy fields of Flanders in the early 20th century. Not this country's finest hour and, 100 years on, one we should never forget or learn from.

First published in Western Gazette 
© Paul Towers 20/4/2014